The Law on State Support for National Cinematography was passed on 5 December 2000. As well as determining the legal mechanisms for state support to national cinematography, the Law establishes the status of a national film, the legislative base for financing its production and distribution, the legal status of a respective organization operating in the film sphere and outlines the basic principles of state support for film-making. These basic principles are expressed in creation of guarantees for creative activity and creative freedom, in protection of copyright and concerning integration of Georgian cinematography in the world film process etc. The Law takes into consideration the Laws on Culture and on Protection of Copyright and Related Rights.
The Law on Press and Other Mass Media was passed on 10 August 1991 which declared freedom for the mass media (was valid until 2004).
The Law of Georgia on Broadcasting was passed on 23 December 2004, which was drafted with the expert support of the EU. The law defines the rules of broadcasting, rules and functions of an independent regulatory body in the field of broadcasting, terms of regulation of activity in this field, licensing rules and procedures in accordance with the principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression and free entrepreneurship. The purpose of this Law is to formulate public broadcasting that is independent from state interference; to regulate the broadcasting activities in accordance with the principles of transparency, fairness and impartiality; to ensure the effective use of freedom of speech and opinion, stimulating a competitive environment among broadcasters, equality and independence of license holders, and effective use of frequencies.
This Law determines the obligations of public broadcasting to protect the public interest in the sphere of news, public and political, educational, cultural and sport programmes. Public broadcasters are also obliged by the Law to create some programmes that reflect the ethnic, cultural, language, religious, age and gender diversity of the population.
Provisions on protection of data are also available within the applicable Law on Copyright and Related Rights (22/06/1999/2112-IIs), and the Law on Limiting Measures in Connection with Intellectual Property (23/06/1999/N2159-IIs).
By the Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression, (24/06/2004 / # 220), the state recognizes and protects freedom of speech and expression as invincible and supreme human values.
The Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) operates under the Law on Electronic Communications) (2005) (amendment -20.11.2013 # 1591), Broadcasting (2004), Independent National Regulatory Authorities (2002), and on the Independent Regulatory Commission (2005).
Law on Independent National Regulatory Authorities –13.09. 2002 /N1666-Is. The purpose of this law is to create the stable legal basis and perfect institutional environment for the sustainable operation of the national regulatory authorities in order to provide, in the various spheres of the economy, the balancing of interests of license holders and consumers, effective pricing and providing services and goods.
Law on Electronic Communications, 02.06.2005/1514-Iს/. This law establishes the legal and economic basis of activity for electronic communication networks and facilities on the territory of Georgia, the principles of formation and regulation of the competitive environment in this sphere, the functions of the independent national regulatory authority (Georgian National Communication Commission), the rights and duties of natural persons and legal entities during ownership of electronic communication networks and facilities, their operation and service provision.
When the Laws onElectronic Communications and on Broadcasting came into effect, the legal status of broadcasting companies radically changed.
Under the Law on Broadcasting three types of companies were recognized – public, community and private. The State Broadcasting Company was reorganized into a public television company and its status, content obligations, programme priorities and other issues were to be regulated by the Law on Broadcasting. The GNCC performs the function of monitoring the execution of the Law on Protection of Minors from Detrimental Effect. The Commission also monitors compliance with the Law on Protection of Copyright and Related Rights in the broadcasting sector.
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