Georgian National Communications Commission accuses Transparency International Georgia of misleading public over broadcasting rules

The Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom) on Friday accused Transparency International Georgia of misleading the public about regulations governing broadcasters, stating that the restrictions in question stem from existing legal requirements rather than a list of prohibited words or phrases.

In a statement responding to information published by Transparency International Georgia, ComCom rejected claims that it maintains a list of words or expressions that could lead to sanctions against broadcasters.

“The Communications Commission does not have any list on the basis of which it sanctions broadcasters. There are no phrases or words that the Communications Commission has banned. Under Georgia’s Law on Broadcasting, broadcasters are prohibited from covering news and socio-political programmes based on personal attitudes or opinions. Broadcasters are prohibited from presenting information about political or other types of confrontation, as well as current public policy issues, in news and socio-political programmes based on their personal attitudes or opinions”, the statement said.

“Accordingly, the restrictions apply not only to the expression of a broadcaster’s position, but also to coverage of political or other types of confrontation and current public policy issues in line with that position”, the statement noted.

ComCom said it had held several working meetings with broadcasters on the content-related regulations and had developed and published relevant guidelines to help them comply with the law.

“Once again, we emphasise that the Communications Commission’s objective is not to sanction broadcasters. Its goal is to ensure compliance with the law and protect the public interest by establishing high standards for the media. Accordingly, the Communications Commission will continue to take appropriate action to ensure the effective enforcement of the law”, the statement concluded.