Blog

Political Presents

A number of significant supplements and amendments have been entered into the Georgian election legislation late last year, including an intriguing issue regarding the handing on of gifts for political purposes. Prior to the amendments, the ban on similar activities covered only the pre-election period, i.e. a time span of about two months.

Attend the largest mining auction in Georgian history!

Bolnisi Mine

The probably largest auction of mining rights in recent Georgian history will take place on Wednesday, February 29, at 12:00 at the Agency of Natural Resources of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Gulua St. #6; Tel: (832) 727248).

Pulling Backwards on Budgetary Planning

The Government of Georgia (GoG) switched to programme budgeting as from January 1 2012, which means Georgian state budget needs to be rearranged thematically. The Ministry of Defence appropriation as well as other defence-related expenses, for instance, now need to be put under the programme for Defence and Security.

Sidestepping the law on social advertising

The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) and several private TV channels have been airing advertising videos, showing and highlighting achievements and future plans of the Government of Georgia and specific government organizations in recent weeks. These ads are so-called social advertising, meaning that the organization that ordered the ad does not pay TV stations for having it shown.

Once More About Mushtaidi

As we wrote on our blog last October, TI Georgia tried to obtain a copy of a contract between the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office and the Geo Gold company concerning the management of Mushtaidi Park.

Entities Associated with Government and Opposition Taking Over TV stations

In recent days, the Georgian television sector has become even more politically polarized -- judging by changes in ownership and management of two channels.