At the request of "Georgian Dream", the Communications Commission fined "Mtavari Arkhi" 118,688 GEL

"Georgian Dream" filed a complaint with the Communications Commission on August 5 and demanded the sanctioning of critical channels. The case concerns the video clip of the "Sirshvilia" movement, which was broadcast on June 23 and 24. The video contains anti-European statements from government representatives. At the end of the clip, the organizer of the demonstration called on the citizens to gather in front of the Parliament on June 24, at 20:00. To defend Georgia's European choice, tens of thousands of people gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi in June.

The Communications Commission shared the "Georgian Dream" position and said that the television stations had no right to post the mentioned video.

"In this case, it is obvious that the purpose of the advertisement placed on the air by the broadcasters was, on the one hand, to advertise the demonstration to be held on June 24 so that as many citizens as possible could participate in it, and on the other hand, to present the party "Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia" and their leaders in a negative context. Therefore, based on its content, the mentioned video clip represents information about the leaders of the political party, which is intended for an indefinite circle of people and serves to form a negative opinion towards this political party and its members and prevent their election. In addition, it should be taken into account that the demonstration itself had a political context, and the organizers, who are the ones who ordered the advertisement, made political demands on it; this was the resignation of the government", said the commission's employee Thea Kavelidze at the session.

All five members were present at the August 23 session of the commission. All members supported the decision to sanction broadcasters.

According to the Commission, the placement of pre-election/political advertisements is limited to the broadcaster if the pre-election campaign is not underway. On June 23 and 24, 2022, there was no pre-election campaign.

According to the Commission's information, based on the fact that "TV First" and "Formula" have not committed the mentioned law violation in the last year, the Commission warned the broadcasters in writing. On the other hand, "Mtavari Arkhi" is known as a violator four times in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for a similar violation. According to the commission's information, in the last year, the mentioned violation of the law by "Mtavari Arkhi" was carried out for the second time, and the broadcaster was already fined. Therefore, the commission imposed a fine of 1% of their annual income - 118,688 GEL.

According to Giorgi Gabunia, Acting General Director of Mtavari Arkhi, the Commission does not miss the chance to make the already difficult financial situation of the broadcaster even worse:

"We also heard a direct threat that if we continue like this and one more pro-European clip gets on our air; they will take away our license altogether. I am not surprised by this either. We will not pay this fine; we will appeal as before and see what happens." The Media Advocacy Coalition believes that today's decision of the Communications Commission is political and unjustified and significantly worsens the media environment in Georgia.