ComCom Fines Formula TV GEL 2,500 for Violating the Law on Broadcasting

The Communications Commission has fined Formula TV GEL 2,500 – the minimum amount stipulated by law – for violating the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting. The Commission monitored the broadcaster’s programmes during April of this year, and found that Formula’s news programmes contained instances of presenters and journalists expressing personal opinions and failing to comply with the legal requirements of impartiality and balanced reporting. 

The violations identified by the Commission included assessments and comments made by journalists and presenters in news programmes that reflected the broadcaster’s personal stance on ongoing political and social issues. The monitoring also identified a violation of the requirement to ensure balanced coverage. Specifically, in a report aired on 22 April concerning the patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, only the parents’ perspective was presented, while the position or alternative explanation of the Ministry of Health was not included. As a result, viewers were not provided with all the significant viewpoints regarding the issue. 

The Law of Georgia on Broadcasting prohibits the coverage of news and socio-political programmes on the basis of personal attitudes or opinions. The law also establishes obligations to ensure fairness, impartiality and balance, with the aim of safeguarding the editorial independence of broadcasters and the rights of viewers, and ensuring that the public has access to objective and comprehensive information. 

Due to the fact that Formula TV had already received a written warning within the past year for a similar violation, the Communications Commission imposed the minimum fine of GEL 2,500 on the broadcaster in accordance with the Georgian Law on Broadcasting.