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Рy10 September 2014
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10.09.2014, Chisinau – Several journalists and civil society representatives analyzed draft law no. 240 on modifying and supplementing the Broadcasting Code, aimed at ensuring media ownership transparency, which was approved by the Parliament in the first reading on 21 July 2014. The discussion was held at a public event organized by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) on 10 September with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the FHI 360 project Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society.
At the start of the event, IJC Director Nadine Gogu underlined that, despite some openness of authorities, this segment did not evolve too much. N. Gogu believes that it is unlikely for this draft law to be voted in final reading this autumn by the current Parliament, because parliamentary elections are approaching and MPs are interested in promoting other initiatives, which they find of greater priority.
This draft law has been produced in order to create an efficient mechanism for the application of legal provisions related to media ownership transparency and to ensuring public access to information about the owners of media outlets. This legislative initiative proposes new notions to be added to the Broadcasting Code, as well as concrete procedures for broadcasters’ participation in the contest for broadcasting licenses.
During the discussion, experts recognized that such a draft law is necessary in the situation when there are visible signs of media concentration, which encourages manipulation or disinformation. “For decades, we lived with a single opinion, and we failed as a state and a country. To avoid repeating that infamous past, we need a free market, where everyone can choose whatever they want. We cannot have a normal society without an information space containing all the opinions,” media expert Ion Bunduchi said.
Participants came with proposals and recommendations, which will be delivered to the specialized parliamentary committee. Also, the IJC issued a declaration, where the Parliament is asked to abide by the term of not more than 45 days between the first and second readings, required by the current legislation.
The event was organized as part of the Advocacy Campaigns Aimed at Improving Transparency of Media Ownership and Access to Information , implemented by the IJC, which is, in its turn, part of the Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society project, implemented by FHI 360.
The organization of this event became possible due to the generous support of the American people, offered through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed at the event belong to participants and might not reflect the position of the USAID or the US Government.
At the start of the event, IJC Director Nadine Gogu underlined that, despite some openness of authorities, this segment did not evolve too much. N. Gogu believes that it is unlikely for this draft law to be voted in final reading this autumn by the current Parliament, because parliamentary elections are approaching and MPs are interested in promoting other initiatives, which they find of greater priority.
This draft law has been produced in order to create an efficient mechanism for the application of legal provisions related to media ownership transparency and to ensuring public access to information about the owners of media outlets. This legislative initiative proposes new notions to be added to the Broadcasting Code, as well as concrete procedures for broadcasters’ participation in the contest for broadcasting licenses.
During the discussion, experts recognized that such a draft law is necessary in the situation when there are visible signs of media concentration, which encourages manipulation or disinformation. “For decades, we lived with a single opinion, and we failed as a state and a country. To avoid repeating that infamous past, we need a free market, where everyone can choose whatever they want. We cannot have a normal society without an information space containing all the opinions,” media expert Ion Bunduchi said.
Participants came with proposals and recommendations, which will be delivered to the specialized parliamentary committee. Also, the IJC issued a declaration, where the Parliament is asked to abide by the term of not more than 45 days between the first and second readings, required by the current legislation.
The event was organized as part of the Advocacy Campaigns Aimed at Improving Transparency of Media Ownership and Access to Information , implemented by the IJC, which is, in its turn, part of the Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society project, implemented by FHI 360.
The organization of this event became possible due to the generous support of the American people, offered through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The opinions expressed at the event belong to participants and might not reflect the position of the USAID or the US Government.
