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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Georgian National Communications Communications

CommissionCommission

Broadcasting Sector Overview of the Regulatory Framework

Speaker: Konstantine Koridze

BLACK SEA BROADCASTING REGULATORY BLACK SEA BROADCASTING REGULATORY AUTHORITIES FORUMAUTHORITIES FORUM

Kiev, UkraineKiev, UkraineSeptember06, 2013September06, 2013

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications CommissionGeneral FrameworkGeneral Framework

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications Commission – – permanent, collegial, independent regulatory authority for electronic permanent, collegial, independent regulatory authority for electronic communications and broadcasting communications and broadcasting that does not subordinate to any state authority.

The new Georgian regulatory framework on Electronic The new Georgian regulatory framework on Electronic Communications and BroadcastingCommunications and Broadcasting is in compliance with is in compliance with EU EU Directives and Directives and lays basis for new regulatory trends where lays basis for new regulatory trends where the focus is on:the focus is on:

creating a regime reflecting the current state of competition; creating a regime reflecting the current state of competition; establishing a playing field for all operators and establishing a playing field for all operators and taking into account developing markets and technological evolution taking into account developing markets and technological evolution

and neutrality. and neutrality.

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian Law on BroadcastingGeorgian Law on Broadcasting

Georgian law on broadcasting Georgian law on broadcasting was was elaborated in 2004 with the assistance of experts from elaborated in 2004 with the assistance of experts from Council of EuropeanCouncil of EuropeanThis law:This law:

StimulatesStimulates freedom of expression freedom of expression EnsuresEnsures competitive environment competitive environment

between broadcasters; between broadcasters; Provides Provides equality and independenceequality and independence of of

license holderslicense holders

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications Commission Georgian Law on BroadcastingGeorgian Law on Broadcasting

PromotesPromotes efficient use efficient use of frequencies of frequencies StreamlinesStreamlines licensing regime licensing regime Ensures Ensures transparency transparency Establishes Public Broadcaster for the purposes of

broadcasting of various programs free from political and commercial influence

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications CommissionLicensing regimeLicensing regime

Types of Broadcasting Licenses

Private Broadcasting Licenses

General BroadcastingLicense

Specialized BroadcastingLicense

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications Commission Licensing regimeLicensing regime

(existing practice in awarding broadcasting licenses)(existing practice in awarding broadcasting licenses)

Issuance of broadcasting license by means of competition Issuance of broadcasting license by means of competition

License seeker

Submits application

Commission

Makes decision on the announcement of an open competition

Publishes information about the competition at least 2 (two) months prior to the date of the open competition

Arranges preparatory session 20 (twenty) days before the open competition

Holds the competition

Evaluates the applications according to aspects of programming and defines the winner

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications CommissionLicensing StatisticsLicensing Statistics

Number of license holdersNumber of license holders

Total

85TV Broadcasting

49Radio Broadcasting

36

General Broadcasting

Licenses38

Specialized Broadcasting

Licenses11

General Broadcasting

Licenses26

Specialized Broadcasting

Licenses10

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications CommissionIndependence Guarantees for BroadcastersIndependence Guarantees for Broadcasters

Code of Conduct for Broadcasters Code of Conduct for Broadcasters This Code sets out the Principles, rules and recommendations for broadcasters to This Code sets out the Principles, rules and recommendations for broadcasters to

follow:follow:

Diversity, Equality and ToleranceDiversity, Equality and Tolerance

Editorial IndependenceEditorial Independence

Personal PrivacyPersonal Privacy

ImpartialityImpartiality

Protection of Minors Protection of Minors

Broadcasters are free to choose their own systems of Broadcasters are free to choose their own systems of accountability consistent with high professional accountability consistent with high professional standards and effective complaint handling according standards and effective complaint handling according to Art. 14 of the Georgian Law on Broadcastingto Art. 14 of the Georgian Law on Broadcasting

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications CommissionFuture trendsFuture trends

Migration to the Digital Broadcasting by 2015 will:

free up a lot of broadcasting frequency spectrum; encourage investment and innovation in the broadcasting industry; Increase competition in the broadcasting market;

•

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian National Communications CommissionSteps takenSteps taken

• A group has been created consisting of media and civil society representatives, which will coordinate the work of transition to the digital broadcasting

• Commission issued a document – “models of the transition to digital broadcasting and the view of the commission”. The Document includes:– Different models of transition to digital broadcasting, its

advantages and disadvantages;

– Strategy of the transition;

– Description of technical work that has to be concluded for the transition.

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Georgian National Communications

Commission

Georgian National Georgian National Communications Communications

CommissionCommission

Thank you!