Media NGOs express their concern about the draft Law amending the Code of Audiovisual Media Services

Media Non-Government Organisations express their concern about the proposed amendments to the Code of Audiovisual Media Services (CAMS), stated in the draft law registered in the Parliament on 14 October 2021.

In the context of the legislator’s intention to increase the accountability of Teleradio-Moldova (TRM) and Broadcasting Council (BC), we underline the need to assess and estimate the negative impact of regulating by law the legal mechanisms of appointing, controlling and revoking BC members and TRM supervision and management bodies.

Empowering the Parliament, President and Government, by effect of the law applicable in the past, with the prerogative to propose members of the Supervisory Board/Board of Observers revealed harmful practices of governing parties subordinating TRM to an extreme extent.

We remind that due to interference with the editorial activity of the public broadcaster, made by public authorities via the TRM top management, the Republic of Moldova was condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for violating Article 10 of the Convention.

Without clear criteria, the suggested amendments will literally allow any Parliamentary majority to withdraw members of the supervisory and management bodies of the public broadcaster. They also violate the law quality standards (accessibility, predictability and clarity) and could result in the subordination of TRM management and control bodies to the governing political powers.

We reiterate our belief that the national public broadcaster can fulfil its legal mission only if the Government gives up on using any legal leverages to promote its political interests.

The past experiences with introducing and regulating control and sanctioning mechanisms for the national public broadcaster resulted in intensifying the vicious practices of governing political forces interfering with the TRM work, pushing it away from its main objective – to serve the public interest.

Given that the draft law was included on the Parliament’s agenda for 21 October 2021, we express our profound regret at their disregard for the importance of public consultations with the civil society during the decision-making process.

We remain open and willing to contribute to the much expected changes in the media, wishing for a cooperation based on democratic values and norms.

Independent Journalism Center

Environment and Ecotourism Journalists’ Association

Media Guard Association

Association of Electronic Press

‘Access-Info’ Center

Center for Investigative Journalism

RISE Moldova