Transparency International Georgia says the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) is threatening television stations critical of the government.
In a statement released by the organization, Transparency International Georgia said that on 6 March 2026 the Communications Commission issued a public announcement warning broadcasters critical of businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili and the ruling Georgian Dream party that it would begin fully enforcing legislative amendments adopted last year.
Watchdog organization says those amendments allow the regulator to impose sanctions on broadcasters, including fines, suspension of broadcasting, or revocation of licenses.
Transparency International Georgia claims the Commission’s statement is widely viewed as retaliation for sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom against pro-government television channels Imedi TV and POSTV.
The organization noted that on 1 April 2025, the Georgian parliament adopted two packages of amendments to the Law on Broadcasting. Transparency International Georgia says the changes contradict freedom of expression protections guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and international human rights law.
The first package introduces financial restrictions aimed at limiting the ability of critical broadcasters to receive support from foreign donors. The amendments prohibit broadcasters from receiving direct or indirect foreign funding, including financial assistance, equipment, training programs and media development support.
Transparency International Georgia says such restrictions pose an existential challenge to independent broadcasters that already operate in a limited advertising market.
The second legislative package significantly expands the Commission’s authority to regulate media content.
Organization says the amendments broaden requirements related to accuracy, fairness and impartiality in broadcasting. News programs are prohibited from presenting political or policy issues based on the broadcaster’s personal attitude or opinion, while editorial programs are required to present a wide spectrum of views and avoid the distortion of facts.
Hosts of editorial programs are also prohibited from using their positions to express personal views in a way that could compromise the perceived impartiality of the program.
Transparency International Georgia warns that the legislation could enable “arbitrary enforcement and double standards.”
The organization says the vague wording of the rules may allow the Commission to apply stricter standards to media outlets critical of the government while showing leniency toward pro-government broadcasters.
The statement reads that the Commission could treat minor factual inaccuracies in critical media as legal violations, despite the fact that news reporting often involves rapidly developing information.
Transparency International Georgia also argues that the provisions regarding the alleged “distortion of opinion” could conflict with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, which distinguishes between verifiable facts and value judgments.
If violations are identified, the Commission may impose fines ranging from 0.5% to 3% of a broadcaster’s annual revenue. It may also suspend broadcasting or revoke licenses.
Transparency International Georgia warns that the full enforcement of these norms could lead not only to self-censorship but also to the closure of independent broadcasters.
The organization said that approximately 20 regional independent media outlets ceased operations in 2025, citing the restrictive environment and legislative amendments as key factors.
Transparency International Georgia also stated that the Communications Commission itself linked its enforcement plans to sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on Imedi TV and POSTV.
Based on the statement, the Commission indicated that the stricter application of the legislative changes could follow the decision by the UK to place the channels on its sanctions list.
Transparency International Georgia argues that such a move would represent retaliation against independent media in response to the sanctions targeting pro-government broadcasters.
