Decision N123
April 6, 2017


Head of Council: Giorgi Mgeladze

Members of Council: Jaba Ananidze, Nino Jafiashvili, Tazo Kupreishvili, Tea Zibzibadze, Maia Metskhvarishvili.

Applicant: Journalistic Resource Center

Respondent: Vakho Khuzmiashvili

Description

Journalistic Resource Center applied to Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics. Applicant thought that news showpiece: “Passport for pigs? – Government is under the media attention again because of new decision” aired on Iberia TV on 22nd of December of 2016 violated principles 1 and 3 of the Charter. The piece was about decision N548 of 13th of December of 2016 of Georgian Government [from now – decision] “About identification-registration of pigs and their habitat registration rules”. The piece did not have specific author provided, therefore, respondent was defined as an informational service director of Iberia TV – Vakho Khuzmiashvili.

Applicant representative attended the process. Respondent did not attend the process nor provide any response afterward.

Findings of the Council

According to the first principle of the Charter - “Journalist should respect truth and public’s right to get correct information”.

As was stated the case is about decision N548 of 13th of December of 2016 of Georgian Government [from now – decision] “About identification-registration of pigs and their habitat registration rules”. The journalist tried to ask public about their opinion about regulation. After seeing the interviews, the audience would have been left with following opinions:

Pig registration implies to give identification document – like a passport. It also seemed that journalist did not provide information during interviews with respondents fully, because most of them answered that pigs don’t need passports. One of the respondents draws parallels with civilian registration procedure [visitation in public register, signature, etc.] and pig registration. In the beginning of the piece, there is a picture of civilian passport similar to the pig passport.

A registration process is not free. Journalist and one of the respondents mention that this regulation can raise prices on pork. Respondent says: “passport will not be free”.

After reading the decision, it is clear that registration is free [article 2: public law legal entity – national food agency, before the 1st of January, 2022, to register-identify pigs and their habitat with the money provided from the budget of Georgia].

According to the decision registration of pigs is electronic. Only habitat registration is material and not specific documents for each pig.

It is correct that journalist asks comments about the decision to Parliament members, but most of them say that they are not relevant respondents about this decision, which is logical because the decision was made by the government and not Parliament. But the journalist did not try to talk to competent source [e.g. National food agency] to provide viewers with a supported position about the decision and its aims.

According to the information above, Charter thinks that the first principle was violated.

According to the principle 3 “Journalist can spread information based on approved sources. The journalist should not hide important facts, forge documents and information”.

Journalist calls the decision a comic one, tries to show it as unserious, a not applicable regulation which will create problems for a citizen. The journalist does not provide an audience with important information that can change their view of the subject. The regulation is created according to article 75, part 2 of “code of food/cattle safety, veterinary and plant protection” which obligates the government to provide safe food/meat. The aim of the decision is to register and control cattle the meat of which can be used as food. Domestic animal identification/registration is an important part of food safety and it provides a basis for health protection and illness prevention. This is the obligation of the association agreement. Not giving this information to the public is violating principle 3 of the Charter.

Resolution

According to the information above:

• Vakho Khuzmiashvili violated principle 3 of the Charter.