The US Embassy in Georgia has expressed concern over the establishment of a government department to combat hate speech. The best response to falsehoods and misguided views is more free speech, not enforced silence, the embassy stated in response to an inquiry from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty regarding the detention of journalist Vakho Sanaia.
“The Trump administration has clearly stated that the United States considers freedom of speech a fundamental foundation of a functioning society, and we strongly oppose censorship and restrictive laws used to suppress the voices of people with unwelcome views.
As we have told our Georgian partners, political stability requires a political opposition that engages with state institutions on behalf of the citizens who voted for it. Political stability based on broad representation of diverse views is one of the factors that makes Georgia a reliable partner for American investment, security cooperation, and a long-term strategic partnership.
We are concerned about the creation of a government department to combat hate speech. The best response to falsehoods and misguided views is more free speech, not enforced silence,” the US Embassy stated.
