BCC Imposed a Number of Fines to the Television Broadcasters for the Violation of the Electoral Law

During its meeting held on 8 June, the Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) imposed a number of sanctions to the television broadcasters that failed to observe the principles of a balanced coverage of the election campaign during the new local elections.
Hence, following the monitoring of Moldova 1, TV8, Accent TV, ITV, NTV Moldova, TVC 21, Exclusiv TV, Jurnal TV, Ren Moldova and RTR Moldova television broadcasters on the observance of the electoral law during 10 – 20 May and 23 May – 3 June, Jurnal TV was fined with MDL 25,000, and Accent TV and NTV Moldova – with MDL 15,000 each. RTR Moldova and TVC 21 were also fined with MDL 10,000 and MDL 5,000, respectively, for the violation of the electoral law.

TRM, ITV and TVC 21 television broadcasters were warned by consensus, and PRO TV was sanctioned for the same violations with MDL 5,000 and by public warning after examining the results of the monitoring of this television broadcaster following a BCC member self-notification.
According to the BCC Chairperson, Dragos Vicol, the entire electoral campaign was marked by the politicization of the message the television broadcasters sent to its audience. He does not set aside the need for legislative amendments in order to make the impact of BCC’s decisions more effective.

‘My colleagues from BCC and I have concluded that it would be useful, but I’m not totally sure, to make some legislative amendments so that during the election campaign our decisions would come into force not after their publication in the Official Gazette, but on the day of their approval’, Vicol stated.

During Media Azi talk show, BCC member Dorina Curnic has also referred to a possible entry into force of BCC’s decisions during the election campaign.