Independent media outlets oppose the ruling Georgian Dream's plan to renew the discussion of the Russian law in parliament. A joint media statement asserts that the Russian law is another attempt by the government to deprive citizens of their voice, destroy independent media and civil society, silence, and exclude the most active part of society from public processes.
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"By reintroducing the Russian law, the government of Georgia has once again revealed its violent nature. The mentor of the Georgian Dream is the Russian government, which it seeks to emulate in ruling the country through subjugation, control, suppression, expulsion, lies, and demagogy. This law is swiftly pushing us from a mixed system of government towards a firmly established authoritarian regime in the realm of Russian Qaeda. In this place, human life and dignity are worth nothing, corruption and nepotism, oppression and robbery prevail, there is no free media, and no one can shield people from the violent state apparatus. Here, individuals have no chance to grow, and the most prized quality is obedience. We refuse to reside in such a country, and we will not!
We will not allow the Georgian Dream government to miss a genuine opportunity to bring Georgia back into the European family.
For years, the Georgian Dream has relentlessly fought against diverse and critical opinions, often expressed on our web pages and broadcasts. As a result, independent media, along with civil society organizations, have become the government's primary targets.
For years, hatred toward journalists has been emanating from the highest echelons. Senior officials demonize journalists with conspiracy theories, misinformation, and fabricated stories. The Georgian authorities systematically harass and persecute journalists, preventing them from working and subjecting them to verbal and physical abuse.
Despite everything, we continue to fight for our ideals, our cherished profession, our dear readers, listeners, and viewers, and our beloved and only motherland. In this struggle, we have friends and strategic partners of our country who are just as delighted as we are with every achievement, every victory, and every step forward.
Georgian independent media has consistently felt the support of international partners, whose contribution to all the important reforms implemented in Georgia is invaluable. Since Georgia's declaration of independence, our international partners have been the sole guarantors of our security and independence.
International partners have once again clearly expressed their strongly negative opinion on this damaging and harmful initiative of the Georgian Dream government and have called on the Georgian government to withdraw it.
We will not allow the Georgian Dream government to pass the Russian law and erect a deaf wall between Georgia and its true friends.
We will strengthen the resistance, defend our rights, the rights of our citizens, and the right of our country to act according to its civilizational choice. Together with international partners, we will turn Georgia into a truly European democracy," reads the statement signed by the The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics; Studio Monitor; Radio Marneuli; Georgian News/Mtis Ambebi; Kutaisipost; Kvemo Kartli Media QvemoQartli.ge; Publika; Union of Investigative Journalists iFact; AliQ Media Georgia; Guria News; Netgazeti; Batumelebi, Rek Studio; Southern Gate - sknews.ge; April Media; Voice of Kakheti - knews.ge; My Kharagauli; Radio Atinati; Indigo; Jamnews; TOK TV; Agrogaremo TV; Media Checker, OC Media, TV Company Borjomi, Project 64, TV9 News; Caucasus TV; SOVA News, and the "Conflict Zone" media group, Chaikhana.
