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Regulation for Media Activities in Polling Stations Were Simplified

October 25, 2013

Lado Bichashvili, Shida Kartli

Central Election Commission (CEC) simplified the strict regulations for the media representatives. According to the amendments, representative of media organization can enter the polling station several times and freely move inside during ten minutes, prepare video-footage and then start photo and video-recording from the place specially allocated for media by the Commission Chairman.

“As you know, this year we revised this provision in the law and removed the article, which allowed media representatives to shot only polling process and ballot box in precincts. Besides that, a person who video/photo recorded the polling station, could not return to the same PS. This regulation was removed from the law now,” Chairman of Gori DEC # 32 Malkhaz Miruashvili said.

Journalists working in the region positively evaluated the simplified media-regulation by the CEC. They drew parallels to the last year parliamentary elections, when their work in precincts was restricted.

Journalist of the Radio Liberty Goga Aptsiauri: “I even signed the petition, which journalists prepared for the annulment of this regulation. I think it is progress to introduce these amendments and unlike last year elections, on October 27, journalists will not be hindered to implement their professional activities. The most important issue in the new regulation is that journalist will be able to enter one PS several times.”

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association started a campaign to remove the media-regulations resolution from the law. In the frame of the campaign, journalists signed the petition. “GYLA’s Gori office chairwoman Ketevan Bebiashvili positively evaluates new regulation. “We prepared the petition together with journalists in order to start discussion of this issue and give more freedom to journalists. Our joint initiative was considered and today journalists have more freedom than last year, during Parliamentary Elections,” Keti Bebiashvili said.

CEC restricted media activities on the Election Day last year, before the Parliamentary Elections; the decision was protested by nongovernmental and independent media organizations.

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