MOLDOVAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTS NEW AUDIOVISUAL CODE

The Moldovan Parliament has approved, in a final reading, the new “Code of Audiovisual Services in the Republic of Moldova”, better known under the name of “Audiovisual Code”. Adopted on Thursday, the Code includes a number of new provisions on the principles of audiovisual communications.

The said principles are mandatory for all the suppliers of media services, and they include: the freedom of expression of opinions; editorial independence; provision of authentic information; protection of persons under age and people with limited capabilities; gender equality; protection of the national audiovisual area; transparency of property; access to events and arrangements having a higher importance; protection of journalists; the right to reply etc.

Separate Chapters in the Code are dedicated to the organization and functioning of linear media services; to missions of media service suppliers; functioning of the supplier of public broadcasting services; organization of non-linear audiovisual media services; functioning of the Audiovisual Coordinating Council (ACC) etc.

The Audiovisual Code was approved in three readings. The need for holing a third reading appeared because in the course of and after consultations with the Government and the Ministry of Finance the document authors introduced new changes into it, which stipulated inter alia a new formula of financing the State-run media outlets and of the Audiovisual Coordinating Council.

Also, as a result of the changes made after the 2nd reading, the drafters reduced the compulsory volume of own-made local contents from the initial 14 down to 12 hours per day – for the national television channels and national radio, and down to 10 hours per day for the regional public mass media.