The Chairman of the Communications Commission (ComCom), Goga Gulordava, and Commission member Ivane Makharadze met with representatives of the United States Embassy in Georgia, Political Officer Kerry McIntosh, Press Attaché Sarah Saperstein, and the Embassy’s media affairs specialist, Nana Kiknadze.

According to the ComCom, the meeting was intended to discuss the Commission’s role in the broadcasting sector, media regulation, the relevant legal framework in Georgia, and the Commission’s overall approach.

During the meeting, Goga Gulordava highlighted the strong collaborative relationship with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The discussion also addressed the importance of media pluralism.

“The state’s firm commitment to promoting media pluralism, together with the simplification of broadcast authorisation procedures, has led to a growth in the number of telecommunications broadcasters operating in Georgia. There are currently 103 television broadcasters functioning in the country, 19 of which hold national licences,” the Chairman of the Communications Commission explained.

According to the ComCom, Goga Gulordava also spoke at the meeting about the amendments made in 2025 to the Law on Broadcasting, based on which matters of content, including due accuracy, the right of reply, fairness, and impartiality, were brought within the Commission’s regulatory remit.

He further noted that when examining content-related matters, the Commission draws on best European and British practice, given that the Law on Broadcasting is modelled on its British counterpart. The Chairman emphasised that, in the interests of transparency and legal predictability, the Commission has developed a dedicated guidance document for broadcasters on content requirements.

The Commission’s Chairman explained to the Embassy representatives that the Communications Commission’s objective is to raise media standards.

“The small number of fines imposed confirms that the Communications Commission’s aim is not to punish broadcasters, but rather to prevent violations, raise media standards, and ensure compliance with the requirements of the law,” said Gulordava.

According to the Communications Commission, the meeting with the U.S. Embassy representatives also addressed issues of financial transparency among broadcasters and the prohibition of funding from foreign powers. It was noted that the country now has well-defined legislative mechanisms to ensure transparency, without compromising the effective functioning of the media sector.