The Communications Commission, Georgia’s media regulator, signaled plans for more proactive enforcement of restrictive broadcasting laws in a statement criticizing recent U.K. sanctions against two pro-government television channels, Imedi TV and POSTV, imposed over allegations of spreading “Russian disinformation.”
ComCom, chaired by former Georgian Dream MP Goga Gulordava since January, is responsible for enforcing the Law on Broadcasting, including the April 2025 amendments that foresee stricter content regulation, which the ruling party says are modeled on a “British” system.
“The decision adopted by the United Kingdom against two Georgian television companies, one of which is the highest-rated broadcaster in Georgia, is directed both toward restricting fair competition among mass media outlets and toward hindering the professional activities of journalists, which may pose a threat to media pluralism and freedom of speech in the country,” the commission said in its March 6 statement.
The regulator argued that restrictions on media activity must meet strict legal standards.
“Restrictions on the freedom of mass media are permissible only under a high standard of proof, on exceptional grounds, and through emergency legal procedures,” the statement said, adding that “no complaint has been submitted to the Commission regarding the issues that formed the basis for the above-mentioned decisions.”
The regulator noted that the Law on Broadcasting and the Commission-approved Broadcasters’ Code of Conduct govern content regulation in broadcasting and are based on U.K legislation, while aligning with international media freedom standards. ComCom, however, noted that it has so far not initiated proceedings regarding media content regulation and has limited itself to responding to complaints.
Citing “the abovementioned” and the analysis of “challenges in the media environment,” the regulator said it now deems it necessary that starting next week, “the Commission invoke in the practice the norms established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Broadcasters’ Code of Conduct.” This, ComCom said, will ensure “that the objectivity of broadcasters is assessed on due procedure and a high legal standard.”
The regulator said the decision “should have been adopted in any case in order to establish proper and balanced media practices,” but “the current situation has made the issue and the need to resolve it even more relevant.”
The sanctions for content violations can range from verbal warnings to eventual revocation of the broadcasting license. The regulator has already found violations under the new laws in two opposition-leaning channels using terminology questioning the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream government, but has not fined them.
Imedi and POSTV have found themselves in chaos and uncertainty following UK sanctions, with Georgian Dream authorities summoning the UK ambassador over the decision and vowing to take “full responsibility” for defending the “press freedom” of the journalists.
ComCom statement comes as Georgian media outlets not aligned with the ruling party, both broadcasters and online platforms, struggle for survival under a series of restrictive laws severely limiting their funding options.
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