Georgian TV channels fined for refusing to broadcast government video of destruction in Ukraine
On October 11, the Tbilisi City Court decided to fine TV channels Formula, Mtavari and TV Pirveli for refusing to show the pre-election video of the ruling party “Georgian Dream”, which contained footage of destroyed Ukrainian cities attacked by Russia. This is reported by the publication Formula.
The court imposed fines in the amount of 5,000-5,500 lari (approximately $1,800-2,000) based on an administrative protocol filed by the National Communications Commission of Georgia following a complaint from the Georgian Dream party. The protocol states that TV channels are obliged to provide free airtime to all parliamentary parties during the last month before the elections. In addition to fines, the court decision obliges Formula, Mtavari and TV Pirveli channels to show the scandalous pre-election video, regardless of whether the decision is appealed on appeal.
Previously, the “Georgian Dream” party created a series of advertising banners and videos, which showed footage of “normal life” in Georgia alongside the destroyed cities of Ukraine. Advertising materials call on voters to “choose peace” and “say no to war.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine sharply condemned the use of images of the consequences of the war in Ukraine in political advertising and called it unacceptable.
