ComCom Does Not Uphold the Complaint of Georgia’s Future Academy against Teleimedi

ComCom did not uphold the complaint filed against Teleimedi by Georgia’s Future Academy and Aleksandre Zibzibadze. Specifically, the organisation and Aleksandre Zibzibadze submitted a complaint to the Commission regarding the information disseminated about them in Teleimedi’s programme “Imedis Kvira,” as well as on the broadcaster’s website and social media platforms. According to the complainants, Teleimedi had spread inaccurate, false, and misleading information about the organisation and its founder, Aleksandre Zibzibadze. In addition, the complainants requested the right of reply from Teleimedi. However, the broadcaster rejected this request on the grounds that it was unsubstantiated.

According to the circumstances studied by ComCom, the programme concerns the activities of the organisation, as well as the funds granted by the European Commission to a non-governmental organisation and their subsequent distribution to other NGOs, including Georgia’s Future Academy, and the use of those funds. In addition, the report presents a journalistic investigation into the activities of Georgia’s Future Academy and its founder, including the evidence obtained during the investigation, its results, and the conclusions drawn by the journalist, rather than statements of fact.

Taking all of the above into account, the Communications Commission determined that, considering the form, content, and context of the information provided by the broadcaster, it constituted allegations made as a result of a journalistic investigation rather than facts. Therefore, the requirement to ensure due accuracy applicable to reported facts did not apply. Accordingly, ComCom did not uphold the complaints filed by Georgia’s Future Academy and Aleksandre Zibzibadze.