Tbilisi. The authors of legislative initiative and interested persons have gathered in the National Library to discuss the financial transparency of activities of the Public Broadcaster, increased responsibility of the Public Broadcaster's Supervisory Board and granting the status of the Public Broadcaster to the Adjara Television. The meeting was held on January 10 at the initiative of the Coalition for Media Advocacy. The procedure of staffing the Supervisory Board has caused harsh debates, taking up the most of the time. Pursuant to the draft law, the number of members of the Supervisory Board should reduce from 15 to 9, out of which 3-3 members will be elected from the quotes of the parliamentary majority and minority, who will be approved by the majority of the Parliament, and 2 members will be nominated by the Public Defender. The 9th candidate will be automatically the representative of the Adjara Television. According to the amendments, the Board members will have to win the support of the majority of the Parliament. Part of the discussion participants disagreed with the idea that the Board candidates must be elected by the quotes of the political groups. In their opinion, this will further increase the influence of politicians over the Public Broadcaster.

Whereas. according to the authors of the draft law, the Board cannot be totally protected from political influence, as it is elected by the Parliament. They believe that the members appointed by the Public Defender will secure the independence of the Board.

Source:www.media.ge