Georgian lawmakers approved the amendments to the Law on Broadcasting with 84 votes pro and three con. The new legislation will clarify the rights of persons whose interests, reputation, and image have been affected because of erroneous facts in television broadcasts.

The victim will be allowed to demand that the broadcaster retract or apologize. At the same time, authorisation will be required for on-demand audio-visual media services and video-sharing platform services. The proposed law stipulates that unauthorized action by the aforementioned subjects, as well as violations of the Law on Broadcasting, will cause administrative responsibility in the form of a GEL 5,000 fine.

The draft law states that on-demand audio-visual media services, such as television broadcasting, will require legal authorisation. The revisions, in particular, require anybody intending to provide audio-visual media services on-demand to acquire permission from the Communication Commission (ComCom).

The provider must implement steps to prevent the distribution of audio-visual content that contains hate speech, is unsuitable for minors, or contains evidence of a crime.