"The International Fact-Checking Network strongly condemns recent actions in Europe by Georgian authorities targeting independent fact-checkers and civil society. Investigations launched by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, along with threats of criminal liability under the so-called "foreign agents" law, mark an alarming escalation against organizations that provide reliable information to the public. The Media Development Foundation (MDF), home to Myth Detector , an IFCN-verified signatory to the Code of Principles, reports mounting pressure, including demands to turn over sensitive personal data of partners and beneficiaries."
"Authorities initiated the investigation based on publicly available information already listed on MDF's website - including donor funding and project activities - and even cited public remarks by editor Tamar Kintsurashvili, such as her acceptance speech at the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum, where she received the Freedom of Speech Award, as grounds for inspection. Targeted organizations describe these actions as persecution of independent nonprofit groups and free media, aimed at ending democracy "like in Putin's Russia.""
Georgian authorities, including the Anti-Corruption Bureau, have launched investigations and threatened criminal liability under the so-called "foreign agents" law against independent fact-checkers and civil-society organizations. The Media Development Foundation (MDF), which hosts Myth Detector, reports demands to hand over sensitive personal data of partners and beneficiaries and says those measures lack legal basis and violate privacy. Authorities relied on publicly available information from MDF's website and public remarks by editor Tamar Kintsurashvili as grounds for inspection. Targeted groups characterize the actions as persecution aimed at undermining democracy. International organizations and U.S. senators say the moves threaten freedom of expression and association.
Read at Poynter
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