The Communications Commission Issues a Statement Regarding the Sanctioned Broadcasters

The Communications Commission, as the independent state authority regulating the broadcasting sector, is responsible for ensuring freedom of mass media, freedom of expression, media pluralism, and a stable media environment in Georgia. The decision taken by the United Kingdom to sanction two Georgian television companies—one of whom is among the highest-rated broadcasters in Georgia—is aimed both at restricting fair competition among mass media outlets and hindering the professional activities of journalists, which could pose a threat to media pluralism and freedom of expression in the country.

Restrictions on the freedom of mass media are permissible only under a high standard of evidence, with exceptional justification, and through special legal procedures. In this regard, it should be noted that no complaint had been filed with the Commission regarding the issues underlying the aforementioned decisions.

In Georgia, the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters, approved by the Commission, are in force. In terms of content regulation of programmes, these frameworks are based on UK legislation and comply with international standards of media freedom. These legal acts grant the Communications Commission the authority to ensure compliance with standards of objectivity in the media. As for the substantive regulation of media content, despite the existence of the law, the Commission has for almost a year responded only to the submitted complaints and has not initiated administrative proceedings against broadcasters on its own initiative under this law.

Taking the above into account, and based on the analysis of existing challenges in the media environment, the Commission considers it necessary that starting next week it will begin to practically enforce the norms established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters. This will allow the objectivity of broadcasters to be assessed through proper procedures and under a high legal standard. It should also be emphasised that this decision would have been necessary in any case to establish proper and balanced media practice, while the current situation has made the issue and the need for its resolution even more pressing.

Therefore, the Commission calls on all broadcasters operating in Georgia to once again carefully review the relevant legislative provisions and ensure compliance with the standards of objectivity.

The Communications Commission will act with a high degree of responsibility in order to safeguard freedom of mass media, fair competition, freedom of expression, and media pluralism in Georgia.