Journalistic Ethics Charter Backs TV Stations' Refusal to Air Georgian Dream's Pre-Election Campaign Ads
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, October 7, 2024
The Charter of Journalistic Ethics, representing over 300 journalists, has voiced its support for the decision of three major TV stations-Formula, Mtavari, and TV Pirveli-to resist airing what they describe as an unethical pre-election campaign by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
In a statement, the Charter called on Georgia's National Communications Commission not to force the channels to broadcast the election video of Georgian Dream, which it claims echoes Kremlin propaganda, insults both the Ukrainian and Georgian people, and undermines the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
The Charter emphasized that "election banners with similar content displayed on the streets have caused pain to the Ukrainian people and deeply upset Georgian society."
On October 5, the three TV stations jointly announced that Georgian Dream had demanded they air election advertisements. Despite facing potential fines, the channels have refused, stating they would not support what they describe as Russian propaganda or the mockery of the Ukrainian people, labeling the campaign banners as "immoral."
Parliament Chairman Shalva Papuashvili responded by asserting that the stations have no legal grounds to refuse airing the election clip. He warned that "violating the law has consequences," and accused the channels of attempting to create unequal electoral conditions for Georgian Dream.
Papuashvili also criticized "foreign interference," claiming that a statement by European Union Ambassador Pawel Herczynski had emboldened the TV stations' defiance and prompted the support of non-governmental organizations funded by the EU.
