Radka Betcheva, Head of Member Relations for Central & Eastern Europe of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), on Wednesday said “It is important for Georgia, for this democratic society to recognize the important role of public service media in the democratization process.

Betcheva stated that for public service media to be independent, and “to be high quality, it needs adequate and predictable funding. Because public service media is supposed to serve all segments of society. And when I say all, I mean it. Disabled people, minorities children weak social groups.”

“So, it is very important that these democratic institutions, this institution is enabled to do what is supposed to do in every democratic society. I would like to also say that we are going to give some recommendations, but the preliminary ones we could share already with you. These are that journalists must be enabled a safe and free working environment. They must be able to cover pre-election period and elections without obstructions and interference. We demand the revision of controversial pieces of media legislation, repealing the law on transparency of foreign influence and the law on protection of family values and minors.

We demand the proper implementation of the media legal framework. And in particular, the law of free access to information, and where needed establishment of respective bodies which will support proper implementation of the laws. We demand to allow journalism in exile work freely and allow foreign journalists enter Georgia and seek asylum here. So, I think we are still digesting all the information, we will come up with with recommendations. We would like to express the gratitude for all colleagues and representatives of civil society, representatives of political parties, everyone who participated in this today’s talks,” Radka Betcheva stated.