The Georgian Parliament has supported a legislative initiative introducing a series of restrictions and prohibitions for television and radio broadcasters.

Two draft laws amending the Law on Broadcasting were approved in the first reading.

Under the first bill, television and radio organizations will be prohibited from receiving funding from a "foreign power." If enacted, media organizations will be unable to receive either financial or material benefits of any kind from foreign entities.

Specifically, the amendments to the Law on Broadcasting introduce provisions that prohibit:

Broadcasters from receiving direct or indirect funding in exchange for placing social advertisements.

Broadcasters from accepting direct or indirect funding—whether monetary or in the form of material benefits—from foreign entities.

Foreign entities from purchasing services from broadcasters (except for commercial advertisements and product placement).

Foreign entities from directly or indirectly financing or co-financing the production or airing of programs.

The second bill, if passed, would grant the Communications Regulatory Commission the authority to issue warnings and impose fines on TV and radio broadcasters in cases where they:

Fail to adhere to principles of "fairness" and "impartiality" when covering news.

Do not maintain balance in news reporting.

Record interviews or phone conversations for broadcast without prior notice (except in cases where open recording would not be feasible).

Do not apply fairness principles when allowing live call-ins, ensuring that only one viewpoint is not exclusively represented.

Record material in schools, hospitals, prisons, police stations, or ambulances without prior consent from both the authorized representative and the individuals being filmed.

Invite only one guest to discuss an important issue and use the program as a means to attack an absent individual.

According to the Law on Broadcasting, if the Communications Regulatory Commission determines that a broadcaster has violated ethical standards, it will issue a warning and grant a deadline for compliance. If the broadcaster fails to follow the commission’s directive, it will face fines.

The bills were initiated by deputies from the Georgian Dream faction and the People’s Power political group.