The Law on the Freedom of Speech and Expression drafted by the Liberty Institute was adopted by the Parliament of Georgia June 24, 2004. The law institutes a number of innovations bringing the Georgian legislative regime on Freedom of Expression into line with modern western democratic standards. According the new Law defamation is decriminalized; Burden of proof reversed – plaintiff is due to prove the truthfulness of facts disseminated about him; The Law draws a clear cut between facts and opinions – opinions and value judgments defended by the absolute privilege; The notion of public figure is defined; Political debates guaranteed and promoted.
GEO
