Controversial Amendments to Broadcasting Law Approved in Second Reading by Parliament's Economy and Economic Policy Committee
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, October 20, 2023
The Parliament's Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy Committee has approved controversial amendments to the Broadcasting Law during the second reading.
These amendments concern a draft law being expedited through Parliament, allowing concerned parties to appeal decisions made by the broadcaster's self-regulatory body regarding programs containing hate speech or calls to terrorism to the National Communications Commission (ComCom). During the initial reading of the draft law, it was revealed that, in contrast to the originally proposed version, obscenity would also be regulated by the same commission.
The committee meeting took place on October 19. In addition to the parliament majority members, opposition leaders Iago Khvichia from Girchi and Khatia Dekanoidze from Eurooptimists attended the session. Mamuka Andghuladze, the head of the media advocacy coalition, and Mari Kapanadze, a representative of the Georgian Democratic Initiative (GDI), were also present at the session.
Kobakhidze stated that the legislative amendments, included in the Law on Broadcasting, which the ruling party is expeditiously working on, have been chosen with the input of the European Union.
"This norm is old. These regulations are entirely based on a European Union directive. We've submitted this bill to the European Union, and they've selected one of the three options we offered. The matter is settled," Kobakhidze said.
According to the Georgian Dream Chair, he does not know the details of the draft law, however, he added that the ruling party "has no political interest".
"First is self-regulation, then the Communications Commission. We offered three options and they chose. We will do whatever you tell us, we said. And this was chosen," said Kobakhidze.
