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ComCom Fines Formula TV GEL 10,000 Over Impartiality Violations

By Messenger Staff
Friday, October 2, 2026
Georgia's Communications Commission has fined Formula TV GEL 10,000 for violations of broadcasting rules on impartiality and the expression of personal views in news programs, marking the channel's fourth sanction over similar violations since the rules were amended in 2025.

ComCom said its monitoring of Formula's 5 p.m. news programs from September 14 to 16 found presenters and correspondents making assessments that amounted to coverage based on the broadcaster's personal attitudes.

The regulator said such reporting is prohibited under the Law on Broadcasting, which requires broadcasters to maintain fairness and impartiality in news coverage.

According to MediaChecker, the case included references such as "Georgian Dream prime minister," "Georgian Dream Parliament," "Ivanishvili's prime minister" and "Georgian Dream president."

Formula had previously received a written warning and fines of GEL 2,500 and GEL 5,000 for similar violations. ComCom said the law allows fines of up to 3% of a broadcaster's annual revenue, with a minimum penalty of GEL 10,000 in cases covered by the relevant provision.

The latest decision follows a series of sanctions against broadcasters this year. ComCom fined Formula GEL 5,000 in July over similar findings, while TV Pirveli was fined GEL 5,000 in August and POSTV GEL 2,500 for violations involving personal opinions, impartiality or accuracy.

The enforcement powers stem from amendments to the Law on Broadcasting that took effect on April 1, 2025. ComCom says the rules are intended to require broadcasters to provide impartial, accurate and balanced news coverage. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the commission's expanded role in regulating broadcast content.

Formula is an opposition-leaning broadcaster, while the commission is chaired by Goga Gulordava, a former ruling Georgian Dream lawmaker. Those political affiliations have been cited by critics who question the regulator's independence.