Participants of the civil campaign It Affects You Too welcome today’s statement of the Chairman of Parliament made on air on Imedia TV during the 2 o’clock news about obligatory carrying of all television channels by all the cable operators during the electoral period.

According to Mr. Bakradze, parliament is currently working on a proposal that envisages “carrying of all television channels by all the cable operators during the electoral period”.

The Chairman’s statement echoes the legislative initiative prepared under the auspices of It Affects You Too campaign on implementation of the so-called must carry and must offer regulations, which, according to the majority of NGO sector and media organizations, will ensure availability of pluralist information for public and enable them to make an informed choice.

We believe that the initiative of the Chairman of Parliament will be an important positive step forward for creating level pre-election playing field and promoting healthy political competition. We welcome willingness of the authorities to make concrete steps for increasing access to information and ensuring equal media environment during the period leading up to elections. We remain hopeful that the initiative will be duly reflected in the draft law initiated by Parliament.