OSCE media freedom representative presents legal review of Georgian broadcasting law amendments

LONDON, 25 March 2013 – OSCE media freedom representative Dunja Mijatović, in a letter to the Georgian Foreign Minister, Maia Panjikidze, today presented a legal review of amendments to the Georgian broadcasting law, emphasizing the need to ensure the full functioning of the public broadcaster during the transition period.

“The proposed amendments improve the current law, ensuring greater pluralism and transparency in the work of the public broadcaster. This is also achieved by redefining the tasks, duties and appointment procedure of the Director General and the Board of Trustees. It is also very positive that the public broadcaster will have a new obligation to carry the signal of other broadcasters as part of its network,” said Mijatović.

She added that “the main shortcoming of the draft is the lack of transitional provisions until the new Board is appointed. This should be introduced to ensure the full functioning of the broadcaster during the transition.”

The legal review was prepared by Professor Katrin Nyman Metcalf, a prominent media legal expert. The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media will continue to follow the progress of the law.

Mijatović is currently in London speaking at a conference.

The full text of the legal review is available at //www.osce.org/fom/100314