Georgia: Ukrainian journalists analyse the political stakes in the Caucasus region
Related project
Yak VdomaFrom 22 to 26 July 2024, several Ukrainian journalists had the opportunity to delve into the political and social realities of Georgia and the South Caucasus during a working visit organised as part of the Yak Vdoma project. This immersion in Tbilisi comes at a crucial time for Georgia, with the approach of the parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024.
The aim of the working visit was to allow Ukrainian journalists to document the main challenges facing Georgia, challenges which also resonate in Ukraine and Romania. Topics discussed included domestic politics, the election campaign, the situation of the Georgian opposition, international and security relations, as well as Georgia's links with its external partners, particularly in terms of European integration and relations with Ukraine.
Particular emphasis was placed on the recent legislative changes adopted in June 2024, aimed at increasing the transparency of foreign influence in Georgia. This law, known as the "Law on Transparency" or the "Foreign Agent Law" (renamed the "Russian Law" by Georgian civil society activists), is causing great concern. It threatens to affect the functioning of the civilian sector and therefore the independent press, as it will label its bodies as "organisations pursuing the interests of a foreign power".
During their stay, the Ukrainian journalists also benefited from special exchanges with their Georgian counterparts in order to understand the situation. This cross-border collaboration gave them a valuable perspective on the potential impact of the new legislation, and enabled them to deconstruct the propaganda and disinformation stories being told in the country, both internally and externally.
On the strength of these exchanges and this immersion, the journalists are determined to share the lessons learnt from this experience. They are preparing to publish various articles and reports, in Ukrainian and Romanian, to reach a wide audience and raise awareness of the key issues at stake in Georgia and beyond.
Further information: the Yak Vdoma project, supported by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
