2024 Civil Society Award goes to Journalism Resource Centre Georgia
The EU-funded Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum has announced the winner of its 2024 Civil Society Award. It goes to Journalism Resource Centre Georgia “for its persistent work to counter disinformation and contribution to a free, fair and independent media in Georgia amidst the crackdown in the context of the Foreign Agent Law”.
Since its creation in 2018, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Award recognises civil society organisations’ daily commitment to defending core democratic values, advancing democratic reform, contributing to the political, economic and social development of their countries, and helping people and communities in vulnerable situations. It is delivered by the Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum on behalf of its 1,200 civil society members.
Founded in 2009 by Georgian journalist Natia Kuprashvili along with other independent journalists, the Journalism Resource Centre (JRC) has been dedicated to supporting regional media and safeguarding independent community media in Georgia.
To address propaganda and disinformation, particularly coming from Russia, the JRC launched TOK TV, Georgia’s only Russian-language broadcaster, and developed the debunking application Fact or Fake to debunk false information.
The JRC was actively targeted in 2023-2024 due to its active opposition to the Foreign Agent Law implemented by Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party. Natia Kuprashvili, her family members as well as colleagues, were the target of harassment and threats which have yet to be investigated.
“Propaganda can only be countered through strong local journalism,” said Natia Kuprashvili, Founder of Journalism Resource Centre, who received the Award on behalf of the organisation. “Last month’s elections in Georgia illustrated, if there ever was a need, that truth and freedom of the press can protect us from authoritarianisms. This is particularly true in a country like Georgia where the media are controlled by oligarchs permeable to Russian propaganda. Journalists and civil society organisations working together can make a difference to provide fact-checked information and uphold democracy.”
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