Having assumed the chairmanship of the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) Executive Council in 2024, Georgia hosted the 71^st working meeting of the organisation, titled “Market Competitiveness – Implications for the Industry and for Regulators of Smaller Countries.” The meeting was opened by ComCom member and Georgia’s representative on the Executive Council, Ivane Makharadze, who assessed the current state of the audiovisual sector in Georgia and the role of the main players in the sector. EAO Executive Director Susanne Nikoltchev also addressed the audience and highlighted the importance of the meeting. 

The opening part of the meeting was followed by a presentation from the EAO Head of Department for Market Information, Gilles Fontaine, who introduced the main trends of the audiovisual market, the current influences on content production, as well as examples of the market players' responses and the role of artificial intelligence in this process. The following presentation was conducted by the EAO Deputy Head of the Department for Legal Information, Sophie Valais, who focussed on the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, as well as the standard for promoting market competitiveness, and the current situation in non-EU countries in this regard. 

The event included a panel discussion moderated by Head of Legal Support Group of the Communications Commission, Levan Maisuradze. Participants in the discussion included Deputy Director of the Georgian Public Broadcaster, Giorgi Gvimradze, Cavea+ co-founder Otar Bubashvili, head of the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (BAKOM) research group, Samuel Studer, Director General of the Norwegian Media Authority (NMA), Mari Velsand, and Acting Director of the Polish National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), Ewa Murawska-Najmiec. The panel discussion was devoted to the process of transition of media to digital platforms and its impact on the broadcasting editorial policy and the activities of regulatory bodies. In addition, speakers discussed new monetisation opportunities and their personal experiences. 

Samuel Studer held a presentation titled “The Reality of Small Markets,” where he reviewed the situation and challenges of audiovisual markets in small countries. After the presentation, the speakers discussed the dilemma of regulators and legislators, and how it is possible for traditional and digital media to coexist on equal terms despite significant differences. The discussion also addressed the current situation in Georgia, and the challenges of competition between large and small audiovisual content creators. At the end of the panel meeting, participants discussed the use of social platforms by traditional media outlets both globally and in smaller countries, and assessed the needs for the involvement of regulatory authorities. 

The European Audiovisual Observatory has been operating under the umbrella of the Council of Europe since 1992. Its purpose is to analyse facts and data in the film, broadcasting and audiovisual industry in Europe. The organisation currently has 41 members. Georgia became a member in 2016, and is represented in EAO by the Communications Commission. Each June, the chair country of the EAO Executive Council conducts a public media conference on various current topics.