EU Ambassador: Georgian Law on Broadcasting meets standards

Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Tuesday said Georgia’s domestic Law on Broadcasting, approved by the country’s Parliament this month, met the related standards of the bloc. 

In his remarks over the matter, Herczynski noted freedom of speech and expression was an “absolutely fundamental” concept for the European Union, while, at the same time, “we need to set specific limits, especially when it comes to protecting minors and preventing hate speech”. 

“In fact, it is very sensitive [matter] where the line should be drawn between media, freedom of speech, protection of minors and prevention of hate speech”, the European diplomat said. 

Herczynski pointed out the bill approved by the lawmaking body adhered to the standards of the EU’s Audiovisual Services Directive. 

“At the same time, it focuses on other matters not directly regulated by this Directive, which are usually regulated by member states”, he noted.

The bill in question says it aims at creating an “effective mechanism to prevent the spread of programmes and commercials with hate speech and incitement to terrorism”.