The Parliament of Georgia considered and adopted, in the III reading, the draft Law on Broadcasting with 75 votes in favor.

Presenting the legislative initiative, Archil Gorduladze, Chair of the Legal Issues Committee, informed Members of Parliament that the amendments will allow specialized broadcasters to receive direct or indirect funding from a foreign power. The draft law further stipulates that, in cases where a broadcaster receives prohibited funding, the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) will be authorized, in addition to imposing the liability measures provided for under the Law on Broadcasting, to require the broadcaster to transfer the received funding to the State Budget of Georgia.

Parliament also adopted, in the III reading and with 76 votes in favor, another set of amendments to the Law on Broadcasting.

Presenting the initiative, Shota Berekashvili, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee, explained that the amendments provide for a one-time extension of the validity period of licenses for local, general, and private specialized radio broadcasters in Georgia until 31 December 2031, provided that the license holder submits an application to the GNCC. At the same time, in the event of such an extension, license holders will remain obligated to pay the applicable licensing fees and charges.