ComCom Does not Uphold the Complaint of Radio Tbilisi FM93.5 against Teleimedi

The Communications Commission did not uphold the complaint filed by Broadcasting Company Hereti, operating under the brand name Radio Tbilisi FM93.5, against Teleimedi. The complaint, submitted under Article 52 (paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 12) of the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting, concerned information aired in Teleimedi’s programme “Imedis Kvira.” According to the complainant, Teleimedi disseminated inaccurate, misleading, and reputation-damaging information about Radio Tbilisi FM93.5 and the company’s founder, Ramaz Samkharadze. The complainant requested that Teleimedi be held administratively liable and sought to exercise the right of reply under the law.

According to the circumstances examined by ComCom, the disputed reports constituted a journalistic investigation in which journalists examined the alleged use of Georgian online media by foreign intelligence services, financial schemes involving foreign funding of online media outlets, and the use of such funds in their operations.

The Commission determined that, considering the form, content, and context of the material, the information presented by the broadcaster did not constitute statements of fact but rather journalistic allegations, to which the standards applicable to reported facts do not apply. Accordingly, after reviewing the matter within the scope of the submitted complaint, ComCom did not uphold the complaint of Broadcasting Company Hereti.