24 September 2015
1365 reads
![](http://old.media-azi.md/sites/default/files/foto%20Parlament.jpg)
Members of Parliament, members of the Broadcasting Coordinating Council (BCC), and representatives of broadcasters and of civil society discussed at the public debates on Wednesday, September 23, several aspects concerning the draft laws on modifying the Broadcasting Code and the expert opinions of European institutions.
Participants voiced both positive and negative opinions: while the authors of the draft laws supported modifications, saying they would contribute to protecting the information space and to developing local production, media experts and broadcasters’ representatives were less optimistic.
Association of Electronic Press (APEL) Executive Director Ion Bunduchi said he was not sure that the adoption of the modifications proposed by MPs would change the situation in broadcasting. “Will the situation change if, for example, I as owner of five televisions produce one hour and air it on all of my five channels? Does this thing somehow increase diversity of ideas in the broadcasting market? No!” he said.
The expert drew attention to the need to restructure the advertising market so as to have some restrictions and so that one TV channel may hold no more than 20% of the market segments.
In his turn, media law expert Eugeniu Ribca thought that authorities do not have a strategic view on the development of broadcasting and do not look at things as a whole. The true purpose of these legislative initiatives, in Ribca’s opinion, is to introduce new provisions concerning harsher penalties. The expert also said that it is the parliament’s obligation to periodically verify the application of legislation by broadcasters.
Independent Journalism Center (IJC) Director Nadine Gogu supported the need to adopt a new Broadcasting Code, which had already been developed by the civil society and had received positive opinions from the European community. At the same time, Nadine Gogu was worried that there is a risk for some independent broadcasters with no funding from “sponsors” to come to the verge of bankruptcy and even disappear. She suggested creation of mechanisms of support to these broadcasters as well.
Lorena Bogza, journalist for Pro TV Chisinau, shared her doubt that independent televisions will manage to find investment in order to produce programs of good quality. In her opinion, Moldovan citizens should not be deprived of the possibility to watch interesting programs instead of local products of worse quality.
Participants also spoke about the fact that the two draft laws should be combined into one, because they have common elements in the approach to problems in broadcasting. After all relevant institutions issue their opinions, proposals will be discussed within the parliamentary commission for mass media.
Source of photo: ipn.md
Participants voiced both positive and negative opinions: while the authors of the draft laws supported modifications, saying they would contribute to protecting the information space and to developing local production, media experts and broadcasters’ representatives were less optimistic.
Association of Electronic Press (APEL) Executive Director Ion Bunduchi said he was not sure that the adoption of the modifications proposed by MPs would change the situation in broadcasting. “Will the situation change if, for example, I as owner of five televisions produce one hour and air it on all of my five channels? Does this thing somehow increase diversity of ideas in the broadcasting market? No!” he said.
The expert drew attention to the need to restructure the advertising market so as to have some restrictions and so that one TV channel may hold no more than 20% of the market segments.
In his turn, media law expert Eugeniu Ribca thought that authorities do not have a strategic view on the development of broadcasting and do not look at things as a whole. The true purpose of these legislative initiatives, in Ribca’s opinion, is to introduce new provisions concerning harsher penalties. The expert also said that it is the parliament’s obligation to periodically verify the application of legislation by broadcasters.
Independent Journalism Center (IJC) Director Nadine Gogu supported the need to adopt a new Broadcasting Code, which had already been developed by the civil society and had received positive opinions from the European community. At the same time, Nadine Gogu was worried that there is a risk for some independent broadcasters with no funding from “sponsors” to come to the verge of bankruptcy and even disappear. She suggested creation of mechanisms of support to these broadcasters as well.
Lorena Bogza, journalist for Pro TV Chisinau, shared her doubt that independent televisions will manage to find investment in order to produce programs of good quality. In her opinion, Moldovan citizens should not be deprived of the possibility to watch interesting programs instead of local products of worse quality.
Participants also spoke about the fact that the two draft laws should be combined into one, because they have common elements in the approach to problems in broadcasting. After all relevant institutions issue their opinions, proposals will be discussed within the parliamentary commission for mass media.
Source of photo: ipn.md