Georgia’s parliament is reviewing amendments to the Law on Broadcasting that would lift foreign funding restrictions for certain “specialized broadcasters” which do not carry news or political content. In 2025, the ruling Georgian Dream party amended the Law on Broadcasting to prohibit broadcasters from receiving funding from “foreign entities,” while allowing exceptions for commercial advertising, sponsorship, and product placement. Those amendments also broadened the authority of Georgia’s state media regulator, the Communications Commission (ComCom), over broadcast content. 

Under the explanatory note of the new draft, the exemption would apply to “specialized broadcasters” offering single-theme programming, such as sports, educational, or entertainment channels. Broadcasters that air news programs or socio-political talk shows — including most major pro-government and critical television channels — would not be eligible for this exemption. The draft also states that broadcasters airing political content while receiving foreign funding could be ordered by ComCom, in addition to sanctions already provided by law, to transfer those funds to the state budget. If a broadcaster fails to comply with the Commission’s decision within the prescribed deadline, enforcement would be handled by the National Bureau of Enforcement. 

The proposed amendments come as Georgian broadcasters face growing financial pressure amid increasingly restrictive media regulations. In December, Transparency International Georgia reported that 17 regional broadcasters had suspended operations in 2025 because of financial difficulties. The watchdog also warned that major critical outlets, including Formula TV and TV Pirveli, were facing serious financial strain and the risk of closure.