Ambassadors call on Parliament to compose GPB Board

A group of Tbilisi-based Ambassadors has called on Parliament to compose the Board of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) in accordance with the law.  

The working group has released a special statement calling on Parliament to defend the freedom of the media. The statement said the amendments adopted in the Law on Broadcasting in 2013 needed to be enacted in reality. The Ambassadorial Working Group (AWG) believed this would contribute to the process of formation of the Board with professional and unbiased professionals.  

Georgian Parliament failed to select GPBs Board of Trustees last month. Most of the candidates, representatives from media and civil society, were nominated by a selection commission but could not gain support from the majority of MPs.  

The statement, released by the AWG, said the selection commission was transparent in the selection process and had selected 27 candidates in accordance with law.  

"The international society believes that Georgia defends democratic ideals, supports pluralism, media freedom and transparency. Accordingly, we expect the Parliament to finalize the process of selection of the Board of Trustees in a way as it is considered by the law, reads the statement.  

On December 27, only three members of the GPB board were confirmed while another three were neglected by the Parliament.  Consequently, six seats have remained vacant, as the Board of Trustees composes of nine members in total.  

Members of Parliament are expected to discuss and vote on proposed candidates this week. In Parliament fails to approve at least four more trustees (besides those three already approved) a new competition will be announced.