MP Tamar Kordzaya presented an alternative draft law “On Broadcasting”

MP Tamar Kordzaia presented an alternative bill on broadcasting, which she says is supported by TV channels and media rights organizations.

Kordzai’s bill is an alternative version of the law already presented by the ruling party, which caused discontent among the media and the opposition. In it, among other changes, that aspect of the work of the media, which is now part of self-regulation, falls into the scope of regulation.

According to Kordzaia, the EU’s requirement is “not the regulation of hate speech and a guaranteed right of reply, but the protection of copyright.”

According to her, the alternative bill satisfies the requirements of the EU and at the same time does not pose a threat to the independence of the media. The MP also said that an alternative version of the bill had been agreed with both opposition and pro-government TV companies.

As for the Dreams bill, Kordzaia believes that in its current form it may raise questions regarding its compliance with the country’s Constitution.

The MP also noted that the EU member states have other traditions that are very different from the post-Soviet countries, including Georgia:

“When the regulatory mechanisms were created there, the media in these states have never been used as powerfully for political tools as in Georgia. Thus, the rules were not used to punish the media, so as to deprive them of the opportunity to exist,” the deputy said.