Media Unite for Protecting Rights

Representatives of broadcasting and printed media united in their professional groups recently for protecting their rights and developing legal initiatives and code of ethics of conduct for media professionals.

Georgian National Association of Broadcasters (GNAB) uniting broadcasters and Association “Free Press” made up of printed and online press representatives, agreed to cooperate in certain spheres of their activity; however both professional groups were established independently from each other. 

GNAB was established in January 2003 with assistance of International Research and Exchange Board (IREX). GNAB unites 44 state and independent television, radio and cable companies.

“This is first professional association arranged by the broadcasters for the broadcasters in Georgia,” Tamar Tsilosani, Executive Director of GNAB, says.

“Each of the companies came to a decision to unite as jointly the initiatives will be implemented more effectively rather than independently. We also consider assisting development of sphere of broadcasters in Georgia,” she added.

GNAB works in several directions: defending the rights of the broadcasters, proposing legislative initiatives supporting media development and organizes media market analysis.

Tamar Tsilosani says it is very important to create media rating system which will be trustworthy for broadcasters as well as local and international advertising providers. 

The organization will also work for the development of norms of ethic for broadcasters, creating standards of technical equipment, to establish professionals based on the international norms of the broadcasters. 

In 1994 four newspapers developed the idea of association “Free Press”. Association currently unites 20 members and 40 publications. 

It aims to improve the investment situation in the field of existing media which will support the development of living and working conditions of the employees and support progress of mass media and protects their rights. They also considered creating the norms of ethic for mass media representatives.

Despite the fact that each organization or company has its own regulations, GNAB and “Free Press” representatives consider general guidelines should be developed for all the broadcasting and printed media companies operating in Georgia.  

Both associations work to develop the Press Council, body discussing the internal disputes and lawsuits against mass media representatives. Soso Simonishvili, director of “Free Press”, says this will be an arbitration body of journalistic ethics and dignity.

Representatives of broadcasters and printed press associations consider the possibility of creating one single body for all media representatives, as it will be a body of high rating.

Currently there are two legislative initiatives developed by press and broadcasters associations. GNAB supported by “Free Press” strives to change the law of Georgia “On advertising”.

Specifically they have developed joint letter to the president and chairperson of the parliament of Georgia asking to postpone the implementation of section 7 of article 8 which states advertising of strong alcohol and tobacco products by Radio and TV channels is strongly forbidden in Georgia.

Implementation of this provision decreases tremendously the income of broadcasting media as well as local business on alcoholic products and tobacco.

This provision of the law “On advertising” was decided to enter the force in 2000; however the parliament considered the condition of developing media and misery of advertising market in Georgia and postponed its implementation. 

The section was put into force on April 1, 2003. GNAB representatives ask the president of Georgia and chairperson of the Parliament to consider the economic situation of the broadcasters and the losses caused by implementation of this provision and ask them either to amend or postpone the accomplishment of this section at least for three years.

Joint letter to the president and chairwomen of parliament reads, they consider the outside advertising of these products has more effect on the health of the youth however this is not forbidden by the law. Besides, the advertising of alcohol and tobacco products was shot only after 11pm.

GNAB representatives are still awaiting the results of their initiative; however they hope the parliament will share their position. 

“Free Press” develops another legislative initiative “On temporary moratorium of press taxation”.

Soso Simonishvili says the taxes are very high and the only way to develop Georgian independent media is either to decrease the taxes or to declare the moratorium at least for ten years. This initiative is supported by GNAB.

There has been arranged several meetings within the framework of this initiative with political establishment of Georgia. Basically they support the media proposal. From May 5, united media representatives will start mass action for achieving tax moratorium on printed media.

By Julie Giorgadze, CAP Information Officer