Adoption of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics Postponed

The Georgian National Regulatory Commission for Communications said on December 19 that it has postponed the adoption of a code of ethics for broadcasters.

The law on broadcasting stipulates that the GNRCC adopt the code of ethics, which stirred controversy and protest by most broadcasting companies, by the end of this year. But now it seems that parliament will amend the law and remove the provision setting a deadline for the document’s adoption.

GNRCC chairman Dimitri Kitoshvili said that public discussion of the document will continue before April 1, 2007.

The comprehensive 64-page document is a set of detailed guidelines and standards for broadcasters. According to the law, the code of ethics should be a legally binding document – another source of protest by most of broadcasters, as they fear that the document will become a potential tool for authorities to pressure television stations if the document becomes legally binding. 

“There are many remarks and new proposals in respect to this document and we are ready to discuss all of them, but it will be up to us to propose a final draft… Our vision is that the broadcasters should enjoy autonomy while implementing the code of ethics,” Dimitri Kitoshvili said.

Imedi television was among the more outspoken critics of the code; Kavkasia TV was also a strong critic. Representatives of Rustavi 2 and Mze TV voiced cautious criticism, while the Georgian Public Broadcaster backed the proposed code of ethics.

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