The Georgian Media Legal Defense Center was founded by the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association in November 2009.
Starting from February 2011, the project has been implemented under the auspices of the IREX G-Media Program, with the involvement of eight offices of GYLA (Tbilisi, Rustavi, Telavi, Kutaisi, Gori, Ozurgeti, Adjara).
Goal of the GMLDC
Protect journalists’ rights
- In an event of interference with journalistic work;
- In an event of any obstructions to access to public information;
- In an event of any labor-related problems with an employee;
- In an event of any other problems in the process of carrying out journalistic work.
Objectives of the GMLDC
- Provision of free legal aid to journalists, media outlets and lawyers;
- Cooperation with the legal aid service;
- Lobbying legislative amendments promoting protection of journalists’ rights.
With the financial support from IREX, the GMLDC offers the following to journalists:
- Free legal consultation
- Free representation before any administrative agency or court
- Full refund of fees for filing an application or for access to public information
- Representation before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg
- Trainings and seminars for raising legal awareness
Receiving the service
Service of the GMLDC can be received through in-person, telephone or online consultations.
Interested individuals can contact us through our website www.gmldc.ge or through our facebook page.
Throughout 2012 the GMLDC has
- Prepared 11 documents
- Provided 1136 consultations
Researches and publications:
- Procedures for formation of the Georgian National Communications Commission
- Must carry – analysis of legislation and experience of foreign countries, and demands on the Georgian broadcasting market;
- Civil monitoring for improvement of the situation in the field of TV broadcasting.
