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Although the document was reviewed by the Council of Europe, European Broadcasting Union and OSCE Mission to Moldova and was subject to four public hearings at the parliamentary commission for mass media, at the meeting on Friday MPs had very many questions to speakers.
Liberal Party MP Lilian Carp, who presented the draft law, explained the need to adopt the code through the fact that it will allow filling in the gaps related to transition to digital terrestrial television, ensure transparency of final media owners and speed up the reorganization of “Teleradio-Moldova” public broadcaster, which, according to him, “continues inefficiently using public money because of poor management of human resources and assets.”
In his turn, Vladimir Hotineanu, chairman of the parliamentary commission for mass media, expressed regret with the fact that MPs did not participate actively in the public hearings organized by the specialized commission regarding the draft Broadcasting Code. “I am disappointed that MPs wouldn’t come to these hearings, although they were public and were attended by the civil society, professionals and persons with responsibilities in broadcasting.”
The draft new code requires: broadcasters to have eight hours of domestic or their own product; the Broadcasting Coordinating Council (BCC) to reform by changing its name to Broadcasting Council and reducing the number of members from nine to five; dividing “Teleradio-Moldova” into two separate entities – Moldova 1 and Radio Moldova; setting a “fee for public radio and television services.” Also, the current Board of Observers is to change its name into Supervisory Board, composed of 9 members, who will have to be public persons with professional qualifications in various fields.
During debates, some MPs had objections to this draft law. Vasile Bolea (Party of Socialists) was displeased by reduction of the number of members in the BCC: “It is an administrative body. Why is the number of its members being reduced? … Is it an attempt to completely politicize this institution?”
Liberal Democratic Party MP Chiril Lucinschi mentioned that the new Broadcasting Code is “an extremely sensitive issue, and it can bring both benefits and harm,” and suggested creating a working group to improve the draft law.
Ina Supac (Party of Communists) expressed concern with the fact that the new law might prohibit retransmission of channels from Russia in Moldova. “For 5 years, I had been a member of the commission specialized in the media, and I very well know that one of the real goals of the new Broadcasting Code is to prohibit retransmission of television and radio channels that have programs produced outside the EU or in the countries that did not ratify the European Convention on Transfrontier Television. It would mean prohibition to retransmit channels from Russia.”
In this context, Lilian Carp explained that entertainment shows, which are not focused on propaganda, such as “Pole Chudes” or “Zhdi menya,” will still be aired, because they cannot influence the political decisions of Moldovan citizens. “As for newscasts, we need to protect our information space,” the MP said.
According to the Liberal Democratic Party MP Vadim Pistrinciuc, “no one questions that this sphere must be regulated and protected from toxic propaganda. But there are some technical issues that might consolidate the media in the hands of some owners.”
Discussion also focused on the subscription fee that the authors of the draft law proposed in order to ensure the financial independence of public television.
We shall remind you that the draft new Broadcasting Code was developed in 2010 by the civil society. In the second reading, several amendments will be debated, including some from the civil society, in order to update the content of the law and bring it in line with European standards.
