People's Power Movement Proposes Law on Foreign Agents
At a press conference on December 29, the anti-Western People's Power declared that it would submit two bills to the Georgian Parliament in January 2023. According to the reports, the draft regulations would include provisions for establishing a registry for "agents of foreign influence" and controlling the distribution of fake news.
People's Power intends to submit legislation requiring all relevant civil society organizations (CSOs) and other entities that receive financing from foreign sources and attempt to influence decision-making on public concerns or the development of public opinion to register in the foreign influence registry. According to Guram Matcharashvili, one of the group's leaders, the concept of an agent of foreign influence will be adopted, and the relevant entities will be required to disclose their financial revenue and spending completely.
According to the MPs, another bill on media regulation is being drafted. It will be based on the legislation of one of the advanced European democracies. People's Power stated, "The proposed law attempts to stop and address the media's spread of false news."
"Quite a number of CSOs and media organizations currently have a substantial impact on the radicalization and polarization of Georgian political processes. Therefore, we think that passing both of the proposed pieces of legislation would significantly contribute to depolarization, which is a requirement for Georgia's peaceful and stable growth," People's Power added.
Notably, the People's Power movement consists of former members of the Georgian Dream party.