GNCC, in accordance with the Georgian law “on Broadcasting,” based on a public opinion survey, twice a year, defines and publishes radio broadcasting priorities for the license seekers. The purpose to define radio broadcasting priorities on the basis of the public opinion survey is to determine population’s interest and demand on community and private radio broadcasting, which, the Commission will use as a guideline for the next two years while issuing licenses. 

Commissioned by GNCC, NNLP “Institute of Social Studies and Analysis” has conducted a study in order to determine public sentiment in regard to the radio broadcasting priorities.

The final objective of the study was to determine:

a)     Public’s attitude and demand towards community radio broadcasting, and defining the specific part of the population that must be served by the community radio broadcasting;

b)     Public’s attitude and demand towards the thematic of private-specialized radio broadcasting;

c)     Public’s attitude and demand towards the private-general radio broadcasting;

d)     What type of programming is preferred while listening to the radio;

e)    What types of programming do Georgian radio stations lack;

f)     Which radio broadcasting is in need to be added into the Georgian radio space; community, specialized or general radio broadcasting. In case of the specialized radio broadcasting, it should be specified, what topics should be added to the need for a specialized radio broadcast.

In the process of public opinion survey, at least 2 700 (two thousand seven hundred) respondents have been interviewed face-to -face across the country. In accordance with the amendments provided in the Georgian law “on Broadcasting,” in connection to the transition into digital broadcasting, TV broadcasting licensing regime has been canceled and TV broadcasting (by means of any type of technology) has been subjected to authorization and granting a license in the field of radio broadcasting has been maintained through the rules of competition, accordingly, public opinion survey has been carried out only for the means to determine radio broadcasting priorities.

Public session in order to discuss the results of the public opinion study that has been carried out by NNLP “Institute of Social Studies and Analysis” is will be held on February 11, 2016, at 3 pm. Any interested party will have an opportunity to voice their opinion in regard to the research. The Commission will make a decision within 10 days after the public hearing.