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Corina Fusu, Liberal MP, said that the amendments proposed by her faction aimed at a single goal, namely to ensure the security of the information space against foreign propaganda, and provided for broadcasting exclusively locally produced informative and analytical programs, of which 80% should be in Romanian. The bill allows for broadcasting informative, political and analytical programs produced by EU member states, the USA and the states that have ratified the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.
Sergei Sarbu, Democrat MP, gave an overview of the amendments proposed by legislative initiative 218, specifying that it was a revised version of the initial legislative initiative 107 that had earlier stirred up many controversial debates. Sergei Sarbu said that the new bill was developed taking into account most comments. The updated bill aims at regulating the rebroadcasting of foreign informative and analytical programs and the broadcasting of local content. "We propose that during 6 AM and midnight 8 hours of locally produced content be broadcast, of which 6 hours – during prime time and at least 4 hours – in the official language of the state", said Sergei Sarbu.
Artur Corghencea, Head of News Department of Pro TV Chisinau, and Lorena Bogza, anchor at the same TV channel, expressed deep concern regarding the provision prescribing 8 hours of broadcasting local content. "While the economy is in recession, it is extremely difficult for a TV channel to produce more own content and yet remain independent. We all saw the results of the media monitoring during the election campaign last year. The only TV station that broadcast unbiased objective news was Pro TV Chisinau. We managed to do so because we generated enough income to support ourselves, we were not funded from elsewhere. Other TV channels – the ones that were biased – probably had other sources of funding", said Artur Corghencea. Lorena Bogza expressed a personal opinion on the subject. "What we are trying to do is to monopolize the audiovisual and I understand why the Democrat Party insists on that provision, claiming that it is for the sake of preventing Russian propaganda. The bill proposed by the Liberals is excellent and it is what we can afford at the moment. If you want to amend the Broadcasting Code let us review all possible options, so that the new provisions are not used against us tomorrow. If we accept this provision regarding the requirement to broadcast 8 hours of local content a day, we risk that Pro TV disappears, as it will not be financially viable". Lorena Bogza further explained that it was not that the media would not like to produce their own genuine content, but that they do not have the funds to invest in additional programs. "The draft proposed by the Liberals aims at securing the information space, while the bill proposed by the Democrats and Liberal Democrats hide traps that would make it possible to close down certain TV channels and ensure monopoly", concluded the journalist Lorena Bogza.
Other speakers, including Dan Lozovanu, representing the National Association of Broadcaster Employers of Moldova, Eugen Sergheev, Director of the TV station RTR Moldova, Natalia Davidovici, Director General of TV7, expressed similar views, supporting the bill on securing the information space developed by the Liberals, as a more balanced realistic bill that takes into account the interests of broadcasters. In their view, if we talk about the independence of journalists and media institutions, "the bill of the Liberals is optimal, while the bill of the Democrats and Liberal Democrats would not boost development of local content, but would rather result in monopolization of the media market", said Dan Lozovanu. "You argued that all movies must be dubbed, but can you name at least one studio in Moldova that provides dubbing services?", told Eugen Sergheev to the authors of bill 218.
"At TV7, since May 1 we have already taken measures to counter propaganda and produce our own content – all newscasts and analytical programs are produced locally. It seems that under the pretext of "developing domestic content" they actually intend to close down some TV stations. It is an anti-democratic bill", said Natalia Davidovici, TV7 CEO, referring to bill 218.
Media experts Ion Bunduchi, Chair of the Electronic Press Association, and Petru Macovei, Director of the Independent Press Association, provided their own observations and recommendations on the bills discussed and on the debate process in general. "We have been accused several times that we interpreted the law. I have to ask something the authors of the bills. Please write clearer texts that are easily understood by all parties involved, leaving no room for interpretation. Otherwise, how are we supposed to be aware that the concept of "domestic content" includes co-productions? Or if they decide to drop the notion of "own products", should we assume that the notion "local content" includes purchased content and coproduction?" asked Ion Bunduchi.
Petru Macovei drew attention to the fact that the debates were organized in a hurry. "We have two bills: one has been reviewed by Government, while another is brand new. It seems fair to first get both reviewed by relevant entities and then continue the debate. Furthermore, I would suggest the Parliamentary Commission on Media to also request the review of the Competition Council for bill 218, as several broadcasters who took the floor mentioned that unfair competition was implied", asked Petru Macovei.
Both media experts and some MPs who took part in the public hearings concluded that it would be desirable to adopt a new Broadcasting Code rather than supplement and amend the current one.
