ISFED against CEC Decision over Restricting Mass Media

(Tbilisi, August 26, 2003, Civil Georgia) – The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) protested against the ruling adopted by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on August 25, which defines the principles of coverage of the election process by the state and private mass media.

The ruling prohibits the state and private mass media from broadcasting any reports that include pre-election campaigning. TV and radio companies are also prohibited from broadcasting any news o!
r entertainment programs with candidates participating.

ISFED claims that the ruling violates the voter’s right to receive information, as well as the principle of freedom of expression and the right of the mass media to impart information without any restriction.

“By enforcing this ruling, our country loses another opportunity to demonstrate that it acts within the frames of the constitution and is on the way to democratic development,” reads the statement issued by the ISFED on August 26.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)