The Media Ombudsman, a member organization of the Media Advocacy Coalition, has published an interim report on the activities of the Communications Regulatory Commission. The report revealed several significant trends that demonstrate the state of media freedom in Georgia.
Key findings:
1. The ruling party “Georgian Dream” is the initiator of legal disputes and media punishment under the pretext of violating election legislation;
2. At the request of “Georgian Dream,” the regulator and the court twice punished critical TV stations for the same issue: “Mtavari Arkhi,” “Formula,” and “TV Company Pirveli”;
3. The court unconditionally satisfies all demands of the Communications Commission;
4. While “Georgian Dream” demands the placement of “outrageous, shameful, and horrifying” political advertisements, three critical broadcasters have no opportunity to receive recommendations from the Communications Commission;
5. The biggest dilemma regarding the content of political advertising was recorded in 2016 when the Commission had a different position on the placement of the “Centrists'” ad by the Public Broadcaster;
6. The editorial policy of “Media Critique,” based on materials published in September, is in full alignment with the views of the ruling party.
This report highlights significant challenges to media freedom and independence in Georgia. It emphasizes the existence of political pressure on the media and signs of bias from regulatory bodies.
