Georgian National Communications Commission

1. BLACK SEA BROADCASTING REGULATORY AUTHORITIES FORUM Kiev, Ukraine September06, 2013 Broadcasting Sector Overview of the Regulatory Framework Georgian National Communications Commission Speaker: Konstantine Koridze

2. Georgian National Communications CommissionGeneral Framework Georgian National Communications Commission – permanent, collegial, independent regulatory authority for electronic communications and broadcasting that does not subordinate to any state authority. The new Georgian regulatory framework on Electronic Communications and Broadcasting is in compliance with EU Directives and lays basis for new regulatory trends where the focus is on: • creating a regime reflecting the current state of competition; • establishing a playing field for all operators and • taking into account developing markets and technological evolution and neutrality.

3. Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian Law on Broadcasting Georgian law on broadcasting was elaborated in 2004 with the assistance of experts from Council of European This law: • Stimulates freedom of expression • Ensures competitive environment between broadcasters; • Provides equality and independence of license holders

4. Georgian National Communications CommissionGeorgian Law on Broadcasting • Promotes efficient use of frequencies • Streamlines licensing regime • Ensures transparency • Establishes Public Broadcasterfor the purposes of broadcasting of various programs free from political and commercial influence

5. Georgian National Communications CommissionLicensing regime Types of Broadcasting Licenses Private Broadcasting Licenses General Broadcasting License Specialized Broadcasting License

6. Georgian National Communications CommissionLicensing regime(existing practice in awarding broadcasting licenses) Commission License seeker Issuance of broadcasting license by means of competition Makes decision on the announcement of an open competition Submits application 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 anddefines the winner

7. Georgian National Communications CommissionLicensing Statistics Number of license holders Total 85 TV Broadcasting 49 Radio Broadcasting 36 General Broadcasting Licenses 38 Specialized Broadcasting Licenses 11 General Broadcasting Licenses 26 Specialized Broadcasting Licenses 10

8. Georgian National Communications CommissionIndependence Guarantees for Broadcasters • Code of Conduct for Broadcasters • This Code sets out the Principles, rules and recommendations for broadcasters to follow: • Diversity, Equality and Tolerance • Editorial Independence • Personal Privacy • Impartiality • Protection of Minors Broadcasters are free to choose their own systems of accountability consistent with high professional standards and effective complaint handling according to Art. 14 of the Georgian Law on Broadcasting

9. Georgian National Communications CommissionFuture trends • Migration to the Digital Broadcastingby 2015 will: • free up a lot of broadcastingfrequencyspectrum; • encourageinvestment and innovationin the broadcasting industry; • Increase competitionin the broadcasting market;

10. Georgian National Communications CommissionSteps 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.

11. Thank you! Georgian National Communications Commission