The Governor of Gagauzia promulgated the Law on Television and Radio previously challenged by the Civil Society

The Governor of Gagauzia, Irina Vlah, promulgated the Law on Television and Radio challenged by a number of non-governmental organisations which declared at a press conference held on 2nd of March 2016 that the document contravenes the legislation of the Republic of Moldova and claimed that the People’s Assembly revises and amends it. The information about the promulgation was confirmed by the employees of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia.

After entry into force of this Law, the Supervisory Board of the Regional Public Company „Gagauziya Radio Televizionu” will conduct an employment contest for the position of director and will approve the candidates for the positions of editor-in-chief of the television channel and of the radio station. In addition to it, the Board will decide upon the management of the company’s money. The civil society expressed concern about the fact that, after the promulgation of the law, the company will be compelled to broadcast free of charge all the sessions of the People’s Assembly and of the Executive Committee of Gagauzia, all congresses of the deputies, the public debates held by local government authorities, as well as their meetings, demonstrations, processions, religious services.

The Coordinating Council of the Audiovisual declared on the 3rd of March 2016 its concern about the risk of undermining the democratic principles for operation of the regional public broadcaster, as well as about the situation of the journalists and of the employees of ”Gagauziya Radio Televizionu”.

According to the civil society, the law under consideration restricts the publishing activities of the Regional Public Company „Gagauziya Radio Televizionu” and the freedom of expression in the region. In a declaration disseminated on the 1st of March, the NGO-s warned that, if the draft Law on Television and Radio is adopted disregarding the legislation of the Republic of Moldova concerning the transparency in the decision-making process, “we reserve the right to make a court claim for its annulment”.