The ruling Georgian Dream party has filed formal complaints with the Communications Commission against two leading opposition-leaning broadcasters, Formula TV and TV Pirveli, accusing them of violating new broadcasting regulations.
Formula stated that Georgian Dream is demanding sanctions for alleged breaches of the revised Law on Broadcasting. The complaint includes selected quotes from news programs and social media posts where terms such as ‘illegitimate parliament,’ ‘so-called chairman of parliament,’ ‘oligarch’s deputy,’ and ‘regime’s city court’ were used.
“The party is suing us for referring to Bidzina Ivanishvili as an ‘oligarch’,’ Formula said in an official statement. They added that the ruling party is urging the commission to impose temporary enforcement mechanisms while the case is being considered.
TV Pirveli also confirmed being targeted. “Georgian Dream has filed a complaint with the Communications Commission,” said Nodar Meladze, head of the channel’s information service. He added that the party tries to ban journalists and anchors from using phrases like ‘illegitimate government,’ ‘oligarch regime,’ and ‘clan’s servant judge’ during live broadcasts.
The cases will now be reviewed by the National Communications Commission which will determine whether either broadcaster has violated the new legal norms.
