Media Advocacy Coalition responds to Kakhi Kaladze’s Statement – a mayoral candidate, by which it became known that the Tbilisi mayoral candidate nominated by the ruling party intends to participate only in the TV debates planned by the Public Broadcaster, in addition, part of the regional TV stations have already been refused regarding the participation by the ruling party candidates in the political debate.

We would like to remind the politicians that the participation in debates is an integral element of democratic elections and an important tool for ensuring voter awareness. Refusal to use this tool is contrary to the general principles of democracy and hinders the right of the citizens to make the informed choices.

We urge the representatives of the ruling party to take part in the various formats proposed by the media, to respect the right of the voters, to get acquainted with the visions of the mayoral candidates and to give the media the opportunity to perform their professional duties.

In order to fulfill its multifaceted commitment to the right to vote, the Media Advocacy Coalition is proposing a memorandum to political parties and electoral entities running in the local self-government elections, signing of which includes the responsibility to conduct the election procedures in a peaceful, non-violent and non-discriminatory environment.

Text of the Memorandum

We, the undersigned,

Hereby respect the public's right to be informed about events and point of views.

We acknowledge and recognize the need for voter awareness and responsibility under these commitments, which implies the need to hold and participate in pre-election political debates.

We believe that the exercise of the electoral law depends on the correct and accurate, impartial and fair coverage of election-related issues.

We declare a boycott regime with the media unacceptable.

We acknowledge the special importance of the format of the pre-election political debate and agree to fulfill our commitment to participate in the political debate. We consider the participation and involvement of women in political processes, including the representation of women candidates in debates, to be important.

We condemn the verbal and physical attacks on media representatives.

We call on the representatives of political parties, electoral entities, political activists and supporters to respect the professional commitment of the media to receive and disseminate the information.

We agree that, as part of its multifaceted commitment to the electoral law, the parties will use an effective mechanism for self-regulation of broadcasters to ensure a standard of impartial and fair coverage and/or refer to the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics.

* Note: Complaints/statements on election issues will be considered in an accelerated manner - within 7 working days

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information - IDFI

Liberal Academy Tbilisi

Media Club

Media Development Foundation

Media rights

Alliance of Regional Broadcasters

TV network

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy - ISFED

Georgian Democratic Initiative - GDI

Georgian Regional Media Association - GRMA

Small and Medium Telecom Operators Association of Georgia

Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics

Rights Georgia

Open Society Foundation OSGF