The Georgian Dream regime has introduced a fast-tracked bill to dramatically weaken protections under Georgia’s Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression, raising alarm among civil society and media watchdogs.
The draft legislation introduces sweeping changes to how defamation cases are handled, sharply tilting the legal balance against journalists, media outlets, and critical voices. Under the proposed law, defendants—such as reporters, analysts, or civil society figures—would carry the burden of proof, rather than requiring plaintiffs to prove falsehood or malice.
Crucially, the amendments eliminate long-standing legal presumptions in favor of freedom of expression established right after the Rose Revolution in 2004, meaning that in cases of doubt, courts will no longer be required to err on the side of speech rights. The legislation also removes source protection provisions, allowing a judge to rule against a journalist for refusing to disclose their sources or professional secrets.
For the first time, the law would allow for the regulation of "insulting" or offensive language in public discourse—an ambiguous category critics fear could be weaponized to suppress dissent. The reform also strikes down protections for those who publish statements based on reasonable verification efforts or in the public interest, removing so-called “qualified privileges.”
Procedural changes further raise alarm: courts may now impose both material and moral damages if they judge a published correction or apology to be insufficient.
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