Georgian journalist Tamar Kintsurashvili wins Freedom of Speech Award | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Freedom of speech award
• Press freedom
• Human rights
• Fake news
• Hate speech
• Authoritarian media laws
• Foreign agents law
• Disinformation
• Oppressive government
• European Court of Human Rights

Deutsche Welle (DW) Freedom of Speech Award:

• Awarded annually since 2015.
• Recognizes outstanding contributions to press freedom and human rights.

2024 Winner: Tamar Kinsu Rashilli:

• Journalist from Georgia.
• Runs the Media Development Foundation (MDF) in Tbilisi.
• MDF advocates for human rights and freedoms.
• Focuses on workshops to recognize fake news and combat hate speech.

Increasingly Difficult and Dangerous Work Environment:

• Georgia is adopting new authoritarian media laws.
• Foundations receiving foreign funding are required to register as "foreign agents."
• Failure to register results in financial penalties, soon to be replaced with prison time.
• Tamar refuses to abide by the "foreign agents law."

Arguments Against the "Foreign Agents Law":

• Undermines trust in the actions of NGOs.
• Impedes access to credible information needed for informed decision-making.
• Information is power, and the law is an attempt to manipulate public opinion by governments, autocrats, and business interests.
• The law has triggered mass protests, along with the government's announcement to put EU accession on hold.

Additional Restrictive Legislation:

• Legislation restricting media and political activism is in development.
• Could further inflame tensions.

Past Experiences and Current Pressures:

• Born in 1970, worked as a journalist after the fall of the Soviet Union.
• Feels more pressure now than ever before.
• MDF offices have been defaced, and Tamar and her colleagues have been labeled "pseudoliberal fascists."
• Receiving offensive calls, including threats to her and her family.

Importance of International Support:

• Kinsu Rashilli participated in a six-month scholarship program in France.
• Connected with human rights activists from around the world.
• Focuses on media freedoms, disinformation, and hate speech.
• Faces an "existential threat" due to the new "foreign agent law."

DW Freedom of Speech Award's Impact:

• Boosts morale.
• Provides a sense of not being alone against an oppressive government.
• Reinforces the importance of her work for Georgia's democratic future.

Legal Action:

• Launched an appeal against the "foreign agents law" at the European Court of Human Rights.
• Determined to stand her ground against the repressive government.

Conclusion:

Tamar Kinsu Rashilli's work in promoting media literacy and human rights in Georgia is facing increasing challenges due to restrictive legislation. The DW Freedom of Speech Award provides crucial support and recognition as she continues to fight for a democratic Georgia. Her appeal to the European Court of Human Rights highlights the severity of the situation and the importance of international solidarity.