Tamar Kintsurashvili: A Champion of Free Speech in Georgia’s Troubled Times
Tamar Kintsurashvili, a veteran Georgian journalist and media development advocate, has dedicated her life to fostering democratic values and a free press in her homeland. Witnessing the oppressive nature of the Soviet regime, Kintsurashvili recognized the transformative power of a free press and active citizenry in shaping a democratic society. Her unwavering commitment to combating disinformation and defending human rights has earned her the prestigious 2023 Deutsche Welle (DW) Freedom of Speech Award. This award recognizes her steadfast dedication to truth and transparency in a nation facing escalating authoritarian pressures.
Kintsurashvili’s career began in the tumultuous aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse and the ensuing Georgian civil war. Working as a journalist for Georgia’s first independent newspaper, Droni, she gained invaluable experience covering pivotal political events and interviewing prominent figures, including former President Eduard Shevardnadze. Her dedication to independent journalism led her to participate in international exchange programs, further solidifying her commitment to unbiased reporting and media freedom. This experience provided her with a global perspective on press freedoms and the crucial role of media in a democratic society. Her career trajectory eventually led her to the position of general director of Georgia’s public broadcaster, further solidifying her influence in the media landscape.
Kintsurashvili’s work took a new direction in 2014, as she shifted her focus to combating the rising tide of disinformation. Recognizing the evolving media landscape and the increasing prevalence of fake news, she saw the urgent need for media literacy and fact-checking initiatives. She understood that informed citizens are essential for a functioning democracy and that disinformation posed a significant threat to this ideal. She founded Myth Detector Labs in 2017, a fact-checking website dedicated to debunking false narratives and promoting critical thinking. This initiative, supported by DW Akademie, has become a vital resource for Georgians seeking reliable information in a rapidly changing media environment.
Georgia’s political landscape has grown increasingly fraught since the ruling Georgian Dream party came to power in 2012. The party’s perceived pro-Moscow leanings and its implementation of restrictive legislation, notably the "foreign agents" law, have raised significant concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms. This law, reminiscent of similar legislation in Russia, compels media organizations and NGOs receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as "agents of foreign influence." Kintsurashvili’s organization, fully funded from abroad, has refused to comply, arguing that the law aims to undermine its credibility and impede its work.
The "foreign agents" law has sparked widespread protests and international condemnation, further exacerbating tensions within Georgia. The government’s decision to pause the EU accession process in 2022, just a year after receiving candidate status, has further fueled public discontent and underscored the country’s drift toward authoritarianism. These developments have created a challenging environment for civil society organizations and independent media outlets, which face increasing pressure and scrutiny from the government.
Kintsurashvili has experienced the intensifying pressure firsthand, enduring personal attacks and harassment. Masked individuals have repeatedly vandalized her office, while she and her colleagues have been subjected to threatening phone calls and verbal abuse. Despite these intimidations, Kintsurashvili remains resolute in her commitment to defending free speech and promoting media literacy in Georgia. Her organization has