The Communications Commission has found that Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli and Formula aired political advertising in violation of the legislation. In June this year, the aforementioned TV channels aired an advert where the leader of the political union Lelo Mamuka Khazaradze talks about his book, but also highlights his achievements for the country and makes pre-election promises. He also states that his book presents a plan for achieving EU membership, increasing pensions, establishing a successful European state, and creating more jobs. 

The Commission carried out monitoring and established that the content and context of the video clip, as well as the goals of the advertising campaign, served not only to promote the book, but also to facilitate the election of the political figure. Thus, the broadcasters aired political ads in violation of the rules and norms for the placement of political/pre-election advertising outlined in the Georgian legislation. Specifically, broadcasters are prohibited from airing ads from one category under the status of another category. In addition, political advertising may not be aired outside the time period and procedures outlined in the Election Code. 

In the case of Mtavari Arkhi, the broadcaster independently rectified the violation prior to the Commission initiating administrative proceedings, and stopped broadcasting the advert. Therefore, the Commission recorded the broadcaster’s violation but freed Mtavari Arkhi from any further responsibility. As for TV Pirveli and Formula, due to the fact that neither one of the TV channels had committed a similar violation during the past year, the Commission issued a written caution to the broadcasters and instructed them to immediately cease airing the aforementioned video clip.