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The Working Group on Improvement of the Media Legislation Had its First Meeting. What Issues Were Discussed?

13 June 2017
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The working group on improvement of the media legislation gathered on Tuesday, June 13, for its first meeting in order to set priorities for the media segment, rules of procedure, as well as the objectives it aims at.

Thus, the members of the group noted among priorities: drafting the strategy for the development of the media in Moldova; drafting a new Broadcasting Code; developing the information security strategy for the country; getting advice/finalizing the legislation on access to information (versus protection of personal data, experience of EU countries in this area); drafting a new Law on the Press (print and online media); improving the Elections Code with regard to the media coverage of election campaigns; improving the legislation on advertising; improving the legislation on competition; identifying legal solutions regarding provision of tax incentives for domestic media products; etc.

All participants welcomed the creation of the working group and made proposals to improve the organization of its activities.

Nadine Gogu, Executive Director of the Independent Journalism Center (IJC), said that today the law on personal data is a major challenge for the journalists and requires improvement. She also spoke about the situation online and about recent proposals to regulate the virtual space. “We tend to say that it is good when regulation is not excessive. It would be perfect if the media could regulate itself, but there actually are problems in some aspects...” According to Nadine Gogu, the IJC sent several draft laws to the Parliament that could improve legislation in this area, and a list of amendments to the law on advertising will be ready soon, too.

To improve the functioning of the working group, Ion Bunduchi, Executive Director of the Electronic Press Association, proposed formation of subgroups to consider certain specific matters and to come up with proposals that would be subsequently examined by all members. At the same time he noted that it is necessary to see all draft laws registered in the Parliament referring to the media, in order to decide which of them need to be altered and which might be taken as a basis.

According to Petru Macovei, Executive Director of the Association of Independent Press, a priority task for the working group should be development of certain “legislative and regulatory provisions that would stimulate pluralism in the media,” as well as measures to support development of print media in Moldova.

Within two weeks, members of the working group should submit proposals on improving the media legislation, including the projects that had been worked on earlier, proposals for improving the rules of procedure and the work format.

Photo source: www.realitatea.md