ComCom: There Is No List of Banned Words and Phrases

The Communications Commission (ComCom) responded to a statement by International Transparency Georgia, according to which the commission banned 93 words. ComCom said the organization is misleading the public.

The commission states that it "has no list according to which it sanctions broadcasters. There are no phrases and words that the Communications Commission has banned." ComCom explained that the International Transparency material refers to legislative requirements that broadcasters must comply with.

According to International Transparency, over the past 6 months the commission has drawn up memoranda 7 times against critical TV stations, Pirveli and Formula, for using words and phrases unacceptable to Georgian Dream. Initially they were warned verbally, then each was fined 2,500 lari, and the next time 5,000 lari. The commission also has the authority to suspend their licenses.

According to the organization's data, the words and phrases banned for critical TV stations include: "regime", "prisoners of conscience", "oligarch", "fake witness policemen", "political prisoners", "political captives", "repressive policy", "Ivanishvili's prime minister", "so-called education reform", "Georgian Dream police", "illegal detention", "Scroll-Screen Department", "Dream government", "repressive laws", "regime's court", "Ivanishvili's president", "Dream's SSG" and "court clan".

ComCom explains that, under the Law on Broadcasting, broadcasters are prohibited from covering news and socio-political programs based on personal attitudes or opinions. It is prohibited to cover information reflecting political or other confrontation and current public policy issues based on the broadcaster's personal attitude or opinion.

According to the commission, it is restricted not only to express a broadcaster's position, but also to cover political or other confrontation and current public policy issues in line with its position. ComCom said its aim is not to sanction broadcasters, but "to enforce the law and protect public interests by establishing a high standard of media".