The Communications Commission has upheld a complaint lodged by the political union Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia against Mtavari Arkhi and issued the broadcaster with a violation protocol. The case concerns the political adverts submitted by Georgian Dream, which Mtavari Arkhi refused to broadcast. 

Mtavari Arkhi cited a potential violation of the law as reason for refusing to place the advert. The broadcaster believes that the video clip may violate the hate speech regulation under the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting, or the regulations under the Law on Advertising. 

The parties presented their cases at the public session held by the Communications Commission today. The Commission ruled that the disputed political advert does not appear to incite hatred or violence. The video clip produced by the electoral entity serves to present the pre-election vision of the political union. Thus, the advert does not violate the requirements under the current legislation and the broadcaster was obliged to air it. 

In light of the above, the Communications Commission upheld the complaint lodged by the political union Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia against Mtavari Arkhi and issued the broadcaster with a violation protocol due to its refusal to air the political advert submitted by Georgian Dream.