Statement regarding the documentary prepared by First Channel

Media Advocacy Coalition has assessed the procedures carried out by the Management of the First Channel for broadcasting the documentary prepared by an investigation reporter on the Khorava Street Tragedy as an unacceptable and threatening precedent.

According to the statement made by the Executive Council of First Channel, “prior to airing the film it was sent by the management to the Parliamentary Interim Commission set up for investigating the tragedy that happened at Khorava Street and enquired whether launching of the documentary would prevent the investigation proceedings”.

"The documentary has also been sent to the Public Defender, and several non-governmental organizations."

The fact that a “relevant department” of the Public Broadcaster lacks the ability to independently, according to the law and without interference of political parties and interested groups take an editorial decision indicates the incompetence of the management, disruption of internal standards and procedures, which in turn threatens the freedom of expression of journalists, especially investigation reporters working for the Public Broadcaster.

The Coalition points out that discussing ethical dilemmas is a part of self-regulation and it is inadmissible to transform self-regulation process into self-censorship or directly to censorship.

The decision made by the Executive Council is shocking, which states that, “according to the relevant department of the Broadcaster, the documentary did not meet the standards of journalistic activities and the Code of Conduct of Broadcasters," but the Council still decided to launch the film as instructed and permitted by the parliamentary commission.

The Coalition for Media Advocacy expresses its concerns that the MPs and the politicians, who received the investigative product for the preliminary review from the Broadcaster's management, have inadvertently promoted the legalization of a dangerous precedent against the freedom of journalistic activities and freedom of expression.

The Coalition calls upon the management of the Public Broadcaster to develop effective mechanisms for independent production of investigative journalistic products and ensure that the ethical principles, legislative obligations and constitutional norms should be guaranteed and freedom of expression of journalists ensured.