The head of the Georgian National Communications Commission has called on broadcasters to uphold high professional standards, emphasizing the media’s responsibility to society alongside its role in disseminating information.
Speaking on the broadcast of Imedi TV, Commission Chairman Goga Gulordava said media organizations have significant influence over audiences and therefore carry substantial responsibility toward both viewers and the law.
Gulordava noted that amendments to the country’s broadcasting legislation came into force in April 2025, bringing several main editorial standards under direct legal regulation. These include:
- accuracy of facts,
- the right of reply,
- fairness and impartiality,
- respect for human dignity and private life.
He stated that these principles are not entirely new to Georgian media regulation. The Broadcasting Code of Conduct adopted in 2009 already addressed such standards, but enforcement had been inconsistent.
“As a result, the content-related provisions were incorporated into the law to ensure compliance,” Gulordava said.
Following the legislative changes, the Communications Commission prepared a detailed guideline document explaining how the rules should be applied in practice. The document outlines how broadcasters should distinguish opinions from facts, define fairness and impartiality and avoid content that violates personal dignity.
The guidelines were distributed to broadcasters in September 2025 to give media outlets time to adjust their editorial practices before enforcement began. However, Gulordava noted that none of the broadcasters submitted comments or feedback on the document.
Since the law took effect, the Commission has reviewed around ten complaints related to broadcasting standards.
As Gulordava mentioned:
- violations were confirmed in four cases, though broadcasters were released from liability,
- five complaints were dismissed due to lack of violations,
- one complaint remains under review.
Despite the complaints process, Gulordava said the Commission is still largely operating in a reactive mode, responding to complaints rather than actively enforcing content regulation.
The Commission chairman stressed that the regulator’s mission is to protect freedom of expression, media pluralism and a stable media environment in Georgia.
