Georgia Moves to Tighten Control Over Foreign-Funded NGOs and Media

Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has proposed sweeping amendments that would require prior approval for nearly all foreign financial or in-kind support to civil society groups, independent media, and politically active organizations, broaden the definition of "grant" to include support intended to influence public policy, impose criminal penalties of up to six years for receiving foreign funds without permission, bar people linked to foreign-funded organizations from joining political parties for eight years, and grant the State Audit Office expanded monitoring powers; critics warn the measures aim to silence independent voices.