The Media Advocacy Coalition reacts to the decision made by the Georgian Parliament[1] that the selection committee for the Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcaster should be composed of three candidates. Yesterday, on 30th March 2022, the Parliament granted approval to the Parliamentary Competition Commission that comprises certain representatives/affiliates of the private broadcaster Imedi TV.
As per Article 209 of the “Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia”, it is mandatory to involve representatives from academic circles and civil society in the competition commission. The Parliament’s misuse of discretion failed to consider the importance of compositional pluralism, contravening the established legislative criterion.
The coalition deems it impermissible for individuals connected to the private TV channel Imedi, including several of its representatives, to participate in the selection commission for the Board of Trustees’ candidate for the Public Broadcaster.
