ComCom Begins Pre-Election Media Monitoring

The Communications Commission has begun media monitoring for the 2025 local government elections. The Commission will monitor 55 TV broadcasters on a 24-hour basis. In addition to quantitative monitoring, the Commission will carry out qualitative media monitoring of the Georgian Public Broadcaster and the 5 channels with the highest ratings (Teleimedi, Rustavi 2, PosTV, Mtavari Arkhi and TV Pirveli) between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. 

During the monitoring process, the Communications Commission will focus on pre-election advertising, debates, news and political shows, as well as campaigning and opinion polls.  

In addition to media monitoring, the Communications Commission will actively enforce the requirements outlined in the Election Code regarding the coverage of the pre-election campaign. 

Broadcasters can use the manual published by the Communications Commission on the regulation of election issues. The manual was published to comply with the legislation when covering the pre-election period. The purpose of the manual is to make the issues that must be fully consistent with Georgian legislation when covering the elections clear and predictable for broadcasters. The document is of an informational and recommendatory nature, and will help broadcasters conduct their activities properly. Media representatives will also be able to foresee the views of the Communications Commission during pre-election media monitoring, as well as the Commission's approaches towards legislative violations. The guide provides a detailed explanation of the obligations that the law imposes on broadcasters during this period, including the requirements for political advertising, as well as the obligations of broadcasters regarding the airing of paid and free political advertising, the publication of public opinion polls, and pre-election debates, both in terms of content and the specified distribution period. The document also provides an overview of the legal norms for holding the media accountable for violating the legislation that regulates electoral issues, including the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting, the Election Code, and the resolutions adopted by the Communications Commission. 

The Communications Commission has been conducting pre-election media monitoring for many years in accordance with the international standards and European methodology. The monitoring of broadcasters is carried out with the support of the Council of Europe, using the monitors trained by the Council of Europe expert Rasto Kuzel. 

The Communications Commission will conduct media monitoring of the pre-election period for local government elections until 4 October, and will subsequently publish the monitoring reports.