The Communications Commission (ComCom) has issued a statement concerning television broadcasters. As outlined in the statement, the Communications Commission, as the independent regulatory authority for Georgia’s broadcasting sector, is responsible for safeguarding media freedom, freedom of expression, media pluralism, and maintaining a stable media environment.

The Communications Commission calls upon all broadcasters operating in Georgia to familiarise themselves once again with the relevant legislative provisions and to ensure compliance with standards of objectivity.

“The decision taken by the United Kingdom against two Georgian television companies, one of which is the highest-rated broadcaster in Georgia, is directed both at restricting fair competition amongst media outlets and at obstructing the professional activities of journalists, thereby posing a potential threat to media pluralism and freedom of expression in the country.

Any restriction on the freedom of the media is permissible only based on a high evidentiary standard, exceptional grounds, and a specific statutory procedure. Against this backdrop, it is worth noting that no complaint has been lodged with the Commission concerning the matters that formed the basis of the aforementioned decisions.

Georgia has in place the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters, both of which are approved by the Commission. These frameworks are based on United Kingdom legislation regarding content regulation and are fully aligned with international standards for media freedom. These instruments place the Communications Commission under an obligation to uphold standards of objectivity in the media. Regarding the substantive regulation of media content, despite the presence of this legal framework, the Commission has, for nearly a year, only responded to complaints and has yet to initiate any administrative proceedings against any broadcaster under the same law.

In light of the foregoing, and based on an analysis of the challenges present in the current media environment, we consider it essential that, from next week, the Commission bring into practical effect the provisions established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters, so that the compliance of the broadcasters with objectivity standards may be assessed through proper procedure and to the highest legal standard. It should be emphasised that this decision was fundamentally necessary to promote sound and balanced media practice; the current circumstances have made the issue and the urgency of its resolution all the more critical.

Accordingly, we call upon all broadcasters operating in Georgia to familiarise themselves once again with the relevant legislative provisions and to ensure compliance with standards of objectivity. The Communications Commission will act with the utmost sense of responsibility to protect freedom of the media, fair competition, freedom of expression, and media pluralism in Georgia,” the Communications Commission’s statement reads.