This year’s DW Freedom of Speech Award winner is Tamar Kintsurashvili, a Georgian journalist and media rights advocate. As the Executive Director of the Media Development Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of Myth Detector, she has been at the forefront of the fight against disinformation and press suppression in Georgia.
Her work is crucial in defending media freedom, democracy, and truth, especially as Georgia faces increasing authoritarian pressures. Kintsurashvili will receive the award at the Global Media Forum in Bonn on July 7, 2025.Tamar Kintsurashvili is the founder and executive director of the Media Development Foundation in Georgia and the editor-in-chief of the fact-checking platform Myth Detector. Tamar leads media literacy programs for youth and teachers. She is a member of the Deutsche Welle Akademie Media and Information Literacy Experts Network (MILEN) and the UNESCO MIL Alliance nomination committee.
In this exclusive interview, Tamar Kintsurashvili, discusses the growing threats to press freedom in Georgia, the fight against disinformation, and the urgent need for independent journalism.
She highlights the declining press freedom ranking in Georgia, the government’s crackdown on media, and the rise of authoritarian laws that mirror Russian policies. Kintsurashvili warns that autocrats weaponize information to maintain power, making media literacy and fact-checking essential tools in defending democracy.
Interview
Journalist: You received an award from the Deutsche Welle for freedom of expression. How did you become a candidate and thanks to what involvement did you receive that award?
Tamar Kintsurashvili: „This question about the selection process is intended for Deutsche Welle. It was an emotional moment when I learned that I had been selected as the recipient of the DW Freedom of Speech Award 2025. I am truly honored that such a reputable and credible media organization acknowledges my work as the Executive Director of Georgia’s Media Development Foundation and Editor-in-Chief of the online portal Myth Detector. Our efforts in combating disinformation and promoting media literacy in Georgia help ensure the public has access to quality information. During these critical times for our country, this award serves as encouragement for me and my team to continue our fight for a safer media environment and a better Georgia.
Journalist: Given that you are from Georgia, where there are still protests, how important is it to raise the voice of objectivity from Georgia and other countries that have a problem?
Tamar Kintsurashvili: „As a journalist and the founder of an NGO focused on fundamental rights, resilience building in society, and equality, we strive to protect the media ecosystem from harmful information while empowering citizens with trustworthy information essential for a democratic society. Information is power, and people make decisions based on the information they receive. This is why autocrats attempt to dominate the information space and weaponize it to preserve their power. Democracy poses a threat to autocrats and to hostile countries that occupy 20% of Georgia’s territory.
On one hand, we face domestic propaganda and disinformation campaigns; on the other hand, we encounter foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). Our mission is to defend the democratic space from information pollution. We pursue this mission through disinformation research, including studies on gendered and identity-based disinformation, advocacy efforts, and media literacy initiatives.
Journalist: What is the state of today’s freedom of expression and media freedom in Georgia, but also in other countries with which you have close cooperation or follow due to professional work?
Tamar Kintsurashvili: „Georgia’s press freedom ranking has significantly declined, falling from 103rd to 114th in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The Georgian Parliament continues to implement legislation that curtails press freedom, including an amended version of the foreign influence law, which jeopardizes media outlets that receive funding from foreign sources.
This decline in ranking is indicative of an alarming increase in physical violence against journalists and a pervasive lack of accountability for those who perpetrate such acts. There has been a marked rise in both physical and verbal assaults on members of the opposition, civil society organizations, media representatives, and activists, particularly in response to ongoing public protests. Furthermore, Amnesty International has voiced concerns regarding the apparent impunity surrounding the arrest of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, questioning the motivations that underlie her persecution.„
Journalist: To what extent is European society divided in terms of current geopolitical events and how much can this undermine democracy?
Tamar Kintsurashvili: „Unfortunately, we observe that anti-democratic and anti-human rights legislation is emerging even in EU countries. Recently, Hungary introduced a foreign agent law that closely resembles a similar law from Russia. The Georgian government often capitalizes on divisions within Western society, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán being a role model for the vision of a „good West“ to which Georgia should aspire. At the same time, they attempt to justify their anti-democratic actions by citing examples from within the EU. The concept of „The Orbanization of Georgia“ underscores a troubling trend that pushes the country closer to autocratic governance, exploiting cultural wars for political gain. This presents a serious threat to democracy, which is why the EU must remain consistent in its actions and defend our shared values.„
Journalist: Additional laws on media freedom have been proposed to the European Union. What kind of society and what measures need to be implemented in order to bring freedom of expression to the level of real democracy in countries that do not have it?
Tamar Kintsurashvili: „Georgia has progressive legislation regarding freedom of expression that was adopted following the Rose Revolution. However, legislation alone is not sufficient if there is not an independent judiciary that upholds these freedoms. Additionally, the regulation of freedom of expression and media has become more complicated due to technological advancements, allowing anyone—regardless of professional background—to create and share media content. This development presents challenges in enforcing content moderation on platforms in accordance with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). Therefore, addressing these existing issues requires a comprehensive approach and effective enforcement of the DSA.„
Journalist: Can journalism survive in the face of false information on social networks and how can media companies restore trust in reporting?
Tamar Kintsurashvili: „In a democracy, it is essential to have credible platforms and accurate information so that citizens can make informed choices. When there is skepticism and distrust—where people believe that everyone is lying—it benefits hostile actors who seek to create information disorder to achieve their own agendas. While some platforms, including META, have invested significantly in content moderation, recent political changes in the USA have led even META to criticize EU regulations. Therefore, the EU’s role is crucial in ensuring the effective enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and in supporting independent fact-checkers. Additionally, it is vital to support public interest media, especially now that the reduction of US funding has significantly affected media operations worldwide.„
