Young Lawyers Association Works on Suits against “Imedi TV”

According to the Georgian Young Lawyers Association telecast released on March 13, 2010 in TV program of “Imedi” “Kronika” breaches Georgian Law on Broadcasting and Ethic Code of Broadcasters of Georgia.

At 8:00pm Kronika reported the audience about military readiness of the tank battalion and regular army of Russian Armed Forces deployed in occupied Akhalgori district, possibility of their movement towards capital, about the panic in various cities of Georgia and queues in groceries and petrol stations. Chronicle about hostilities without any sign on screen lasted about 30 minutes which provoked a feeling in viewers that they were listening to real news program.

According to the paragraph 5 of article 13 of Ethic Code of Broadcasters of Georgia, In order to avoid misleading of the society the broadcasting company shall refrain from using stage performances in news programs and public-political programs or if it uses them, the company shall clearly clarify that it is simulation. Every broadcasting reconstruction of documentary or real facts shall be clearly indicated.

TV reportage “Kronika” is news program and aims to provide the society with updated information. Besides that, the reportage at 8:00 pm on March 13, 2010 was about the topic which is the subject of high interest of society. According to the GYLA, these two circumstances were enough for the Imedi TV to refrain from staging performances.

The European Court of Human Rights stated in one  of its cases that potential influence on public is important factor in defining “rights and responsibilities” of a journalist and it is generally recognized that audio-visual media often has faster and stronger effects than printed media.

Georgian Young Lawyers Association underscores the importance of freedom of opinion and expression, which itself may consider using of staging performances. However, according to the influences of electronic media and considering the possible damage of society by media GYLA calls upon journalists to act in compliance with ethic standards.

Georgian Young Lawyers Association prepares complaints for corresponding imputations.

Gela Mtivlishvili