Legislation on the media is actively discussed in Abkhazia

The legislation on the media adopted by the parliament in the first reading was in the center of discussions that took place on October 10 at the Abkhazian Journalist Union and at the Sukhumi Media Club. Participants of the discussion at the Journalist Union hold the legislation needs serious revision. The opinion was given "the legislation should allow for the Abkhazian mentality as well".

Representatives of national and independent media and independent experts were participants in the round table at the Sukhumi Media Club.

Karen Andreasian, an advisor of the international non-government organization "Article 19", presented results of the independent examination of the legislation prepared at the instance of the Media Club.

It was decided to form a workgroup of journalists, lawyers, and NGO activists which would systematize the proposals. The Media Club is inclined to translate the comments of "Article 19" into Russian and pass them to the parliament for familiarization.