On March 3, the Parliament will discuss legislative amendments related to television and radio broadcasters.

The issue will be discussed in the first reading at the session of the Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy Committee.

The amendments are being introduced to the "Broadcasting Law" under the joint initiative of the "Georgian Dream" and "People’s Power" parties. Two separate and independent bills have been initiated in the Parliament on this matter.

According to the first bill, television and radio organizations will be prohibited from receiving funding from "foreign forces."

Media organizations will not be able to accept financial or other material benefits from "foreign forces."

The purchase of broadcasting services from a "foreign force" will be prohibited, including direct or indirect funding and co-funding of program preparation and airing.

As for the second bill, if it is passed, the Communications Regulatory Commission will be able to warn and fine television and radio stations in cases where:

They fail to adhere to the principles of "justice" and "impartiality" in news coverage.

They do not maintain balance when covering an issue in news programs.

They record interviews or phone calls for airing without prior warning (unless there is reason to believe that open recording would be impossible).

Calls received on live broadcasts are not chosen based on the principle of fairness, and the expression of a single opinion will be inadmissible.

They fail to obtain prior consent from authorized persons or individuals being filmed in places such as educational institutions, hospitals, correctional facilities, police stations, or ambulances.

In the program, only one guest will be invited to discuss a current issue, and they will be used to attack the person who is not participating in the program.

Under the "Broadcasting Law," if the Communications Regulatory Commission determines that a broadcaster has violated ethical standards, it will warn the broadcaster and give them a deadline to rectify the violations. If the broadcaster fails to comply with the commission's instructions, it will be fined.