Media Advocacy Coalition responds to the statements about legislative amendments related to slander

At the beginning of 2019, the high officials have made a number of statements about the legislative amendments related to slander.

According to the President of Georgia, there is a need for legislation that ensures both more protection of human dignity and freedom of speech. Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia stated that a discussion should be initiated not only on solving the issue of slander, but also severe abuse and frequent obscenity.

It is known to the public that, for many years, the current law “on Freedom of Speech and Expression” envisages the responsibility under civil law for both slander of a private person and public figure. Accordingly, even today any person can apply to the court and request the protection of violated rights by the court for violation of human honor and dignity.

We believe that the society should get clear explanations about what was meant in the statements of President of Georgia and the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia.

The result of many years of our society’s efforts is that current legislation sets high standards of freedom of expression and this has always been a great achievement of Georgian democracy.

We are deeply convinced, that any legislative amendment, which will worsen current standards of freedom of expression will threaten democratic development of the country.