CIVICUS discusses the rise of foreign agents laws and their impact on civil society and media with Kathryn Beck, Acting Director of Access to Law at the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Foreign agents laws, which require organisations that receive foreign funding to register with the state, are spreading worldwide, particularly following Russia’s introduction of such a law in 2012. They apply to civil society organisations and increasingly to independent media. Although presented as transparency measures, these laws stigmatise civil society and media and enable authorities to criminalise organisations that work to hold them accountable to express dissent.

What are foreign agents laws, and what’s their impact on civil society and media?

The origins go back further, but the most common modern form of foreign agents laws we see now in their current form first appeared in Russia in 2012, when a restrictive law was introduced requiring anyone receiving foreign funding to register as a foreign agent. In 2017 and 2019, the law was amended to include journalists and media outlets, creating a playbook other authoritarian governments have since followed.

Over time, similar laws have appeared in other countries, targeting civil society organisations (CSOs) and media. They typically impose heavy reporting requirements and are often designed to stigmatise organisations, giving governments legal cover to repress civil society and control public narratives. Even laws with good intentions, such as tackling misinformation and foreign interference during elections, can have unintended consequences if applied unevenly and can unfairly stigmatise legitimate work.

Why has there been a surge in these laws in recent years?

Two main factors are driving this trend. One is the global retreat from democracy that has emboldened autocratic leaders to use these laws as tools of control. The second is the growing concern about foreign influence in elections and the spread of disinformation and fake news, which provides a convenient pretext for governments to pass laws that have been proven to effectively give them legal cover to clamp down on dissent.

These laws often start by targeting CSOs and human rights defenders, before expanding to media and journalists, showing how authorities identify anyone who challenges them or is seen as politically inconvenient. In many cases, they act as early warning signs that further restrictive measures may follow.

How do CSOs and media outlets respond when these laws are introduced?

In most cases, CSOs and media outlets only respond after the laws are enforced as day-to-day survival, such as covering basic operations and managing other restrictions, takes priority.

Once a law is in effect, organisations face a difficult choice: whether to register and comply, even if it means adapting their work, or relocate to operate more freely. These decisions require careful risk assessment and legal support. And that is one juncture where we can jump in to help organisations make informed decisions and navigate the complex environment these laws create.

What can civil society do to address these challenges?

There is no single solution, but raising awareness is a crucial first step, since many organisations only learn about these laws once they are enforced. By understanding the risks these laws can pose to their work, they can build resilience, conduct risk assessments and put practical strategies in place to protect themselves and shore up compliance when these laws, or other restrictive ones, are eventually passed.

Peer learning and sharing experiences globally also play a key role in helping organisations adapt faster and avoid repeating mistakes. Organisations that have already experienced these laws can share practical strategies with those facing them for the first time. This exchange allows civil society to learn from global examples and develop adaptive strategies, which strengthens resilience and helps organisations continue their work safely. Research and documentation are also essential for informing policy responses and preparing for future restrictive laws.

But as the Russian model becomes a popular blueprint for other authoritarian governments, civil society and media must also work on alternative approaches to dealing with foreign interference without restricting their legitimate work, and rally states around them. Only this way will we be able navigate away from this increasingly restrictive environment.

Kathryn spoke at this year’s Trust Conference, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s annual flagship forum, on the rise of foreign agents laws and strategies to address them. Subscribe to the Trust Conference YouTube channel here and be the first to watch her conversation in full.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono legal network, TrustLaw, draws on the expertise of over 120,000 lawyers in 190 countries to provide free legal support to CSOs on the frontlines of social and environmental change. If your organisation needs guidance on how to navigate foreign agents laws or other legal challenges, please consider applying for membership.