Kakha Bekauri: “Total Penalties Paid by TV Broadcasters in the Last 5 Years Prove that the Criticism of ComCom is Unsubstantiated”

“This law is fully European and is the exact equivalent of its British counterpart. The criticism and attacks that followed these legislative amendments were needed by certain groups for political purposes, as those accusations and criticisms are totally unfair. Moreover, we have already begun enforcing this law, and have reviewed 11 complaints so far. Three complaints are still being reviewed, while half of the 11 complaints were filed by the very groups who, nine months ago when the law was being adopted, were criticising us and the Parliament, claiming the law was bad. Today, they are themselves benefiting from it,” Chairman of the Communications Commission, Kakha Bekauri, stated on Teleimedi, while addressing the criticism surrounding the amendments to the Law on Broadcasting. 

According to Mr. Bekauri, the facts clearly show that the objective of the Communications Commission is not to punish broadcasters but to prevent violations, raise standards, and protect viewers’ interests—something that is clearly reflected in the minimal level of fines imposed on the broadcasters in recent years and in the overall statistics. 

Speaking about sanctions, the ComCom Chairman also cited statistics from the past five years, noting that during this period the Commission imposed only six written warnings and five financial fines on Teleimedi; six warnings and one financial fine on TV Pirveli; six warnings and five fines on Mtavari Arkhi; and four warnings and four fines on Rustavi 2. According to Mr. Bekauri, during the same period Formula received eight written warnings and two financial fines, while POSTV received two warnings.