The News in Brief
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Communications Commission Rules Three Broadcasters Violated Electoral Code
The Communications Commission of Georgia has upheld a complaint filed by the Georgian Dream party, recognizing broadcasters Mtavari TV, TV Pirveli, and Formula TV as violators of the Electoral Code. The commission has issued them protocols of administrative violations.
The complaint was initially submitted by Georgian Dream, stating that these channels refused to broadcast their political advertisements. In response, the broadcasters argued that the ads were unethical, containing war propaganda, inciting national strife, and intimidating voters with the prospect of war.
However, according to a press release by the Communications Commission, the refusal to air the ads on ethical grounds does not align with Georgian law. ComCom highlighted that under the ruling of the Supreme Court of Georgia, it is illegal to broadcast ads that promote war, violence, or the overthrow of government authority, or that incite religious, ethnic, or national conflicts. While broadcasters may object to content they consider unethical, ComCom noted that the assessment of such content falls outside their authority.
ComCom further clarified that after reviewing the ads, it found no evidence of war propaganda or incitement to national strife, as claimed by the broadcasters. As a result, it concluded that the ads do not violate the Electoral Code of Georgia and that Mtavari TV, TV Pirveli, and Formula TV were legally required to air them.
EU Urges Georgian Leaders to Refrain from Harsh Rhetoric Against Ambassador
On October 9, the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy Lead Spokesperson, Peter Stano, called on Georgian political leaders to avoid harsh rhetoric and disinformation aimed at EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski. His comments came in response to a question from Formula TV regarding recent tensions between the Georgian government and the EU.
Stano emphasized that Ambassador Herczynski represents the official position of the EU and conveys the bloc's expectations to its Georgian partners. He affirmed the EU's full support and trust in the Ambassador, urging Georgian leaders to engage constructively to address the country's political polarization.
"We reiterate our call on Georgian political leaders to avoid any form of harsh rhetoric and disinformation, and work constructively towards addressing polarization in the country," Stano stressed.
Communications Commission Rules Three Broadcasters Violated Electoral Code
The complaint was initially submitted by Georgian Dream, stating that these channels refused to broadcast their political advertisements. In response, the broadcasters argued that the ads were unethical, containing war propaganda, inciting national strife, and intimidating voters with the prospect of war.
However, according to a press release by the Communications Commission, the refusal to air the ads on ethical grounds does not align with Georgian law. ComCom highlighted that under the ruling of the Supreme Court of Georgia, it is illegal to broadcast ads that promote war, violence, or the overthrow of government authority, or that incite religious, ethnic, or national conflicts. While broadcasters may object to content they consider unethical, ComCom noted that the assessment of such content falls outside their authority.
ComCom further clarified that after reviewing the ads, it found no evidence of war propaganda or incitement to national strife, as claimed by the broadcasters. As a result, it concluded that the ads do not violate the Electoral Code of Georgia and that Mtavari TV, TV Pirveli, and Formula TV were legally required to air them.
EU Urges Georgian Leaders to Refrain from Harsh Rhetoric Against Ambassador
Stano emphasized that Ambassador Herczynski represents the official position of the EU and conveys the bloc's expectations to its Georgian partners. He affirmed the EU's full support and trust in the Ambassador, urging Georgian leaders to engage constructively to address the country's political polarization.
"We reiterate our call on Georgian political leaders to avoid any form of harsh rhetoric and disinformation, and work constructively towards addressing polarization in the country," Stano stressed.