In a bold stand for press freedom amidst rising authoritarianism, Georgian journalist Tamar Kintsurashvili has been awarded the prestigious Freedom of Speech Award by Deutsche Welle. Kintsurashvili, who leads the Media Development Foundation in Tbilisi, is recognized for her relentless advocacy for human rights and her unwavering commitment to combating disinformation and hate speech. However, her vital work has come at an alarming cost as Georgia enacts draconian media laws that threaten to imprison those who refuse to register as foreign agents.

The so-called foreign agents law, which targets organizations receiving foreign funding, has sparked fierce protests across the nation. As the government tightens its grip on media freedoms, Kintsurashvili faces escalating threats, including harassment from masked assailants and midnight calls filled with intimidation aimed at her and her family. “The government is trying to manipulate public opinion,” she asserts, underscoring the existential threat to democracy in Georgia.

Having witnessed the turbulent shifts in her country since the Soviet Union’s collapse, Kintsurashvili has never felt more endangered. Yet, she remains undeterred, recently participating in a scholarship program in France that connected her with global human rights advocates. “We are fighting against disinformation and hate speech,” she declares, vowing to return to Georgia and continue her crucial work.

The Freedom of Speech Award has revitalized her resolve, reinforcing the message that her fight is not in vain. “This recognition shows we are not alone against this oppressive government,” she states. Together with fellow activists, Kintsurashvili has launched an appeal against the foreign agents law at the European Court of Human Rights, embodying the spirit of resistance in a nation at a crossroads. As the situation evolves, the world watches closely, recognizing that the battle for media freedom in Georgia is far from over.