Sports and entertainment TV channels in Georgia will be allowed to receive foreign funding again, under a draft law initiated by the ruling “Georgian Dream” party. The proposed amendment lifts the existing ban for specialized broadcasters, while keeping restrictions in place for news and current affairs channels.
The current legislation, adopted last year, prohibits broadcasters from receiving any direct or indirect foreign funding, except for advertising revenue. Under the new changes, exemptions would apply to channels focused on sports, education, culture, and entertainment content.
If a broadcaster violates the rules and receives prohibited funding, the Communications Commission will have the authority to order the funds transferred to the state budget, in addition to imposing penalties under broadcasting law. Enforcement would be ensured by the National Bureau of Enforcement if the decision is not complied with.
The draft also expands regulatory oversight, allowing courts to authorize access to transaction data in cases where individuals may be indirectly financing media service providers or video-sharing platforms.
