The signatory organizations appeal to the Public Broadcaster of Georgia to actively cover the issues related to EU integration on the basis of Article 16 of the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting.
In the process of European integration, the Public Broadcaster has a special mission and, therefore, it is desirable for it to regularly pay due attention to the dissemination of accurate and objective information on the procedures of EU integration in socio-political, entertainment and news programmes.
The Georgian Law on Broadcasting obliges an organization funded by public finances to promote Georgia's key foreign policy areas, including integration with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and EU, through its editorial policy. We expect that European integration issues will be reflected on all platforms.
On the other hand, it is desirable that the Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcaster expand recommendations on issues related to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration in the draft priorities for 2022-2025.
On March 3, 2022, Georgia applied for the European Union membership. The relevant decision of Georgia and Moldova was accelerated by Ukraine's desire to become an EU member under a special procedure in the wake of the Russian military aggression. The created non-standard situation and the simultaneous submission of applications by three countries - the so-called Associated Trio - Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova - raised expectations among Georgian population for rapid accession to the European Union.
It is not yet known exactly what is meant by the special procedures for EU membership. In order to eliminate the incorrect, Eurosceptic attitudes of the population towards the barriers to membership and the length of the process, we consider it necessary to actively provide the public with timely and reliable information on the EU accession procedures and duration, as well as the mandatory reforms to be implemented by the aspiring states.
In the light of the war in Ukraine, we appreciate the efforts of the Public Broadcaster to support the Ukrainian people with a marathon called "We for Ukraine". We think this step is an important contribution to the strengthening of European values.
Signatory organizations:
- Democracy Research Institute (DRI)
- Civic Idea
- Institute for Development of Freedom of Information
- Media Club
- Media Development Fund
- Rights of the Media
- Alliance of Regional Broadcasters
- Georgian Democracy Initiative
- Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics
- Rights Georgia
- Open Society Foundation
- Democracy Index Sakartvelo
The decision taken by the state in relation to Azerbaijani journalist constitutes a grave violation of human rights, including breaches of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.
Russia continues to pursue deliberate efforts aimed at the annexation of Georgia’s occupied territories with soft power instruments.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau was established in 2022 in response to recommendations issued by the European Commission, which called for strengthening the independence and functional capacity of anti-corruption institutions.
