GNCC, based on a request submitted by “Gazeti Batumelebi” has ceased to discuss the complaint against Georgian Patriarchate Television “Ertsulovneba.”

The claim of “Newspaper Batumelebi” concerns a story aired by TV Company “Ertsulovneba.” On December 8-14, 2014 “Newspaper Batumelebi” has published an article about St. Matthias boarding gymnasium covering the story about disagreement between teachers and students. Few days later, on December 19, 2014, TV Company “Ertsulovneba” has aired a story prepared on same topic with a title: “The truth about an Apostle St. Matthias’ boarding gymnasium.” According to newspaper, the story was a response to an article which was not observed with due accuracy and presented the paper activities in a negative light. Given the circumstances, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 14 of “Code of Conduct for Broadcasters,” “Newspaper Batumelebi” has submitted complaint to the self-regulatory body of “Ertsulovneba” and requested for amendments to be made upon the spread information. However, as the newspaper explains, TV Company “Ertsulovneba” has left their request without response.

In accordance with the Georgian law “on Broadcasting” the fulfillment of legislative requirements in the field of broadcasting shall be supervised by the Georgian National Communications Commission. Therefore, the Commission has accepted the complaint submitted by “Newspaper Batumelebi” against “Ertsulovneba” for further proceedings.

An actual session for this particular case was scheduled for June 16, 2015 to be discussed at the Commission, however, on June 13, 2015, initiated by Georgian Patriarchate Television “Ertsulovneba” discussion of the complaint submitted by “Newspaper Batumelebi” on December 29, 2014 became possible. 

In accordance with the newspaper’s editorial, during the review, the request submitted by “Newspaper Batumelebi” has been specified after which all paragraphs have been fulfilled. 

As “Newspaper Batumelebi” reports, its primary goal is to give an audience proper and accurate information. Despite the late review of the case by the self-regulatory body of Georgian Patriarchate Television, the decision made on June 13, 2015 made it possible to fulfill regulations established in the “Code of Conduct for Broadcasters.”

Given the circumstances, in accordance with the Article 191 of “Administrative Code of Georgia,” “Newspaper Batumelebi” Ltd has rejected to proceed with administrative appeal, which was satisfied by the GNCC and the review of the complaint has been ceased.