According to the draft law, specialized broadcasters that do not air political or news programs will be allowed to receive direct or indirect funding from foreign entities. Accordingly, amendments are being introduced to the Law on Broadcasting.

 

The draft law was presented at the plenary session by Archil Gorduladze, Chair of the Parliamentary Legal Issues Committee.

 

According to the presenter, the amendments stipulate that if a broadcaster receives prohibited funding, the Georgian National Communications Commission will be authorized, in addition to imposing liability measures envisaged by the Law on Broadcasting, to require the broadcaster to transfer the received funding to the state budget of Georgia. If the broadcaster fails to comply with the commission’s decision within the prescribed deadline, enforcement of the obligation will be ensured by the National Bureau of Enforcement.

 

In addition, amendments to the Law of Georgia “On Broadcasting” were also presented by Shota Berekashvili, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee.

 

According to him, more than 30 companies holding licenses for local, general, and private specialized radio broadcasting in Georgia will see their licenses expire on December 31, 2026.

 

Current legislation does not provide for an extension of license validity. Therefore, legislative amendments are necessary to allow these radio broadcasters to continue operations uninterrupted and under existing conditions.

 

Under the proposed amendments, the validity period of licenses may be extended one time until December 31, 2031, provided that the license holder submits an application to the Georgian National Communications Commission.

 

In the event of an extension, license holders will be required to pay the relevant licensing fees and charges.