Parliamentary fraction “Rights Opposition” states that the appeal of the TV Companies “Rustavi 2” and “Mze” to the legislative body was actually prepared by the government and considers it as being an activity that against the opposition.
The above-mentioned TV Companies requested in their appeal, which was read by Nino Burjanadze, the chairperson of the parliament on February 18, to reduce the amount of airtime provided for free political TV ads for various political parties. The boards of the TV stations state that obligatory free time for political requires that 90 seconds be provided every 3 hours. The want this amount be reduced to 30 seconds because the time allocated for free political ads further reduces the time that can be used for commercial purposes. Consequently, the TV Stations financially suffering because of the current legislation.
Mamuka Katsitadze, a member of the opposition said in his interview with the newspaper “Resonance” that “formally TV Companies are run by private persons; however, both are now governmental stations. Thus, it actually the government that is trying to implement some counter-activities against opposition.”
“The opposition had to struggle to gain the right to make statements on Georgian Public Broadcasting. Now so-called private TV Stations belonging to the government have applied to counter methods and they are now doing their best to seize the time for free political ads as what they had during presidential elections,” said Katsitadze.
Giga Bokeria, one of the leaders of the parliamentary majority, supports to maintain the current time limit. However, he also denies the opposition’s accusations be made against the government and various TV stations.
“Very few countries have similar laws and we are one of the few that does. Obviously it is not unique one but it is definitely on a very democratic standard On the other hand, we should consider the interests of the TV Companies and try to maintain the balance between the interests of both sides,” said Bokeria.
The above-mentioned TV Companies requested in their appeal, which was read by Nino Burjanadze, the chairperson of the parliament on February 18, to reduce the amount of airtime provided for free political TV ads for various political parties. The boards of the TV stations state that obligatory free time for political requires that 90 seconds be provided every 3 hours. The want this amount be reduced to 30 seconds because the time allocated for free political ads further reduces the time that can be used for commercial purposes. Consequently, the TV Stations financially suffering because of the current legislation.
Mamuka Katsitadze, a member of the opposition said in his interview with the newspaper “Resonance” that “formally TV Companies are run by private persons; however, both are now governmental stations. Thus, it actually the government that is trying to implement some counter-activities against opposition.”
“The opposition had to struggle to gain the right to make statements on Georgian Public Broadcasting. Now so-called private TV Stations belonging to the government have applied to counter methods and they are now doing their best to seize the time for free political ads as what they had during presidential elections,” said Katsitadze.
Giga Bokeria, one of the leaders of the parliamentary majority, supports to maintain the current time limit. However, he also denies the opposition’s accusations be made against the government and various TV stations.
“Very few countries have similar laws and we are one of the few that does. Obviously it is not unique one but it is definitely on a very democratic standard On the other hand, we should consider the interests of the TV Companies and try to maintain the balance between the interests of both sides,” said Bokeria.
Source: Media.ge
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