The Communications Commission has upheld complaints made by member of the public and issued the broadcasting company Rustavi 2 and GDS TV with fines of GEL 2500 each for violating the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting.

The case concerns the broadcasting of motion pictures and television shows that are unsuitable for minors. Specifically, the broadcasters were found to have breached the regulations regarding the scheduling and labelling of programmes that are unsuitable for minors. Such offences are subject to a fine for the broadcasters. Rustavi 2 completely removed the content in question from its broadcast schedule when the Commission began studying the case, while GDS TV only did so partially. The Communications Commission has instructed GDS TV to immediately cease broadcasting the television show that is unsuitable for minors during the time slot prohibited by the legislation.

According to the changes in the Code on the Rights of the Child, it is prohibited for broadcasters to air programmes that are unsuitable for youths under the age of 18 between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m., programmes that are unsuitable for youths under the age of 15 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., programmes that are unsuitable for youths under the age of 12 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., and programmes that are unsuitable for children under the age of 7 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. According to the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting, the broadcaster must protect children from harmful content and compose its programme schedule with due regard for the restrictions outlined in the legislation.

The ordinance of the Communications Commission designed to protect children from harmful online content came into force this year. Parents are afforded flexible mechanisms for restricting their children’s access to virtual spaces that may harm them mentally.