Five broadcasting companies were given a warning at the session held today at the Georgian National Communications Commission. Broadcasting companies: Europe Plus Tbilisi Ltd, Abkhazia TV Ltd, Kortes-Gidago Ltd, Spectrum Ltd and Folk Radio Ltd have not submitted the Declarations of Conformity to the Commission in the term set by the Law and have not placed them on their websites.

According to the April 2011 amendments to enhance media transparency made by the Georgian Parliament, the offshore-registered companies have been prohibited ownership of broadcasting license. Besides, according to these amendments broadcasters were imposed an obligation to fill out the Declarations of Conformity, to submit them to the Commission and to place them on their website no later than January 1, 2012, as a result of which information about founders and owners of broadcasting companies is made public.

The Georgian National Communications Commission distributed the statement about the above-mentioned amendments through mass media in December 2011 and reminded the broadcasters about their obligations.

In spite of that, the above-mentioned companies did not submit the relevant documentation to the Commission. Consequently, the Commission made a decision to impose sanctions on five companies within the framework of administrative proceedings. They were imposed a written warning. The companies were also imposed an obligation to submit the Declarations of Conformity to the Commission within 5 working days and to place them on their websites.

For the complete version of the Decision, please visit the page of Decisions on the Commission’s website.