The Communications Commission has upheld the complaint from European Georgia against Imedi TV and issued a record of administrative offence to the broadcaster. The case concerns free pre-election advertising submitted by European Georgia, which Imedi TV refused to broadcast, citing hate speech contained in the video clip as the reason. 

The Commission examined the advert in question in accordance with the political advertising standards set by the Supreme Court of Georgia (judgment #BS-1168 (K-20) and concluded that the content of the advert did not contravene the general constitutional principles and requirements outlined in the legislation. According to the standards set by the court, political advertising must not propagate war and violence, encourage violent overthrow of the government, encourage religious and ethnic conflict, as well as contain obscenity or pornography. 

The Communications Commission examined arguments of both sides at today’s meeting and ruled that according to the standards established by the Supreme Court of Georgia, Imedi TV violated the Election Code of Georgia. Therefore, the Commission upheld the complaint from European Georgia and issued a record of administrative offence to Imedi TV. The record will be sent to the court for review.