With highs and lows, 2017 is nearing its end. It is a good time for conclusions. On this occasion, IPN has gathered good thought from all over the globe, this time only good thoughts, from decision-makers and from those on the receiving end of these decisions. What good has come of 2017? This is the question we posed to the people who have accepted to join us in our pursuit of the good in our surroundings and in the events that affect us. Although many things do not follow our wishes, winners are the people and societies that learn to see challenges and lesser things as extra opportunities to get involved and make things better. For each of the topics we approach, we provide rankings that reflect the opinions of those who developed them. Read further for the good things 2017 has brought to mass media.
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Top-5 from the Broadcasting Coordination Council (CCA):
1. Development of a new Broadcasting Code
“Following the initiative of the President of the Parliament, Andrian Candu, a group has been formed to develop the new Broadcasting Code. The current state of things is in dire need of amendments and additions to legislation in the field. There is a need for media regulations that follow European standards and, concomitantly, to raise awareness on the need to solve the challenges Moldovan broadcasting faces in informational security. We are certain that the new provision of the Broadcasting Code will institute democratic principles for Moldova’s broadcasts, and will secure the rights of their consumers.”
2. Expanding range of locally produced programs within the services of radio broadcaster
“Part of the Broadcasting Reform, as of 1 October 2017, the new amendments to the Broadcasting Code came into force, i.e. Article 11 – Protection of linguistic and cultural-national heritage, par. (2) and (3). Thus, national coverage radio and television broadcasters will offer at least 8 hours of locally produced programming, six of which must be offered at peak audience hours, with a minimum of 4 hours of Romanian programming. Radio broadcasters who offer reruns of international programs, and cannot comply with the 8-hour minimum rule, will not be allowed to run advertisements. A positive aspect is that many local broadcasters have managed to create these regional products, in spite of the great difficulties they face when compared to nation-wide broadcasters.”
3. Programs accessible to people with sight and hearing deficiencies
“Starting with 1 September 2017, TV and radio channels must offer one daily broadcast, between 17.00 and 23.00, adapted to the needs of people with visual or hearing disabilities. Sign language should be used for breaking news, emergency broadcasts, and public security and health programs. Weather forecasts are offered in both video and audio format. Another novelty is that, starting 1 January 2018, TV channels will ensure access for people with hearing and sight deficiencies during election campaigns. The same decision provides for the use of broadcasting to promote a positive image of people with disabilities. Starting with this year, the Broadcasting Council will award programs that provide access for people with hearing and sight deficiencies.”
4. Productive dialogue and efficient communication with radio broadcasters, service distributors, and journalists.
“Annually, the CCA conducts regional seminars for local radio broadcasters and service distributors in the north, south and central regions of Moldova, seeking to establish the most efficient means and methods for communicating and promoting public interest regarding broadcast communication, etc. On December 15, with the help of the European Council, the CCA has organized a training for journalists and editors who work in TV and Radio, on strengthening journalists’ capacities in unbiased and fair reflection of information regarding human rights. The annual meetings are a platform for direct and efficient communication with radio broadcaster and service distributors, helping identify and offer viable solutions to the problems reported by actors on the broadcasting market.”
5. Development of local media products
The CCA has held its fifth edition of the contest to offer funding for the production broadcasting programs, from the Broadcasters Support Fund. 22 radio broadcasters had applied, with 30 program proposals, spanning over a diversity of topics. The Fund has awarded 638 560 lei for 18 projects: 8 television programs and 10 radiophonic shows. Seeking to further stimulate local broadcasting, the CCA has opened a Contest for new projects by radio broadcasters who air over-the-air and cable, and who haven’t yet benefited from the previous contest held by the Fund. The contest topics cover public interests such as Prevention and Reduction of Gender-based Violence, Parental Negligence – Major Risk in Children’s Upbringing and Education. In order to stimulate high quality, interesting, and educational programming, the CCA has procured improvement services for four over-the-air local and regional radio broadcasters for 12 months.”
Top-5 from the Investigative Journalism Center of Moldova:
1. Freedom of press to do its job honestly and independently from authorities and groups of interest.
“Even if it has been extremely difficult to resist pressure from political bodies, social media and public attacks, unfair competition and financial deficit, restricted access to information of public interest, the journalists who are devoted to their work code, those who do professional journalism, have been able to exercise their profession. We have freedom of press, freedom of expression, and we must defend this freedom, in order to preserve it.”
2. Mass media outlets united against great common dangers
“At the beginning of the year, when journalist Mariana Rață was under the threat of criminal trial, for having used data on a former official, which he had deemed as private, journalists united into a campaign that had over 20 information outlets posting only de-personalized news for one day, thus proving what happens when official documents are made impersonal and public information is restricted. In the second half of the year, journalists have united in fighting the elimination of names from the search engines of judicial courts. After protests, public debates and statements, the Superior Council of Magistrates has adopted a rule that eliminates the depersonalization of judicial rulings. By the end of the year judicial search engines had reverted the variety of options for informational searches.”
3. The press has won several trials on access to information, obligating public institutions to disclose the information required by journalists.
“The Investigative Journalism Center won a case against the Central Electoral Committee. The institution was obligated to provide the journalists with access to electoral candidates’ subscription lists, and offer complete information on political party sponsors. Another case the Center and AGER won was against the Moldova Railway SE, which was subsequently forced to disclose information on its public procurements. The Association of Independent Press has won a case against the Moldova Post Service, also forcing the institution to disclose its procurement affairs. These trials create precedents to be used in other trials on restricted access to information.”
4. Many beneficial amendments to legislation, including the cap on the number of TV and radio licenses an individual can own.
5. Higher quality in the field investigative journalism. Ever more journalists conduct good, impactful investigations.
Top-3 from the Association of Independent Press:
1. New voices in Moldovan media, voices alternative to media outlets that orbit around the governing forces; the emergence of the TV8 channel on the media market.
“TV8 strives to be a free platform for the expression of opinions, and it has the potential to become just that. I sincerely believe in this goal, and I believe it will happened through correct methods, without breaching the journalistic work code. Although we have been dragged through a plethora of CCA briefings throughout the year, the end of year brought along the cession of the company’s license from Chiril Lucinschi to alternative media NGOs.”
2. The Parliament of Moldova has created a work group for amending legislation in this field.
“A large part of the mass media market is politically controlled, and that influences the public. We hope that this initiative is not just for show, a bullet point in reports to foreign development partners. I am not going to risk calling it a positive thing, I am skeptical, and I believe that the documents created by this work group will be heavily distorted within the Parliament, by MPs acting on their Parties’ interests. The documents developed by this work group, comprised of both national and international experts, will most likely be adopted under an obscure format, which would fit the business interests of certain MPs and patrons.”
3. Ever more media institutions develop, in the sense of media convergence.
“Beautiful projects that took place in 2017, for example People and Kilometers, or Newsmaker, which have undertaken very good journalistic projects, using multimedia means and serious documentation.”
Other articles in the “Goods of 2017” series:
What good things did 2017 bring in Transnistrian settlement process. IPN Campaign
What good things did 2017 bring in education. IPN Campaign
What are the accomplishments of 2017 in tourism! IPN campaign
What good things did 2017 bring in environmental sector. IPN Campaign
What good things did 2017 bring in cinematography. IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Rights for People with Disabilities. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Organ and Tissue Transplants. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Literature. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Volunteering. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Support for Children without Parental Care. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in the Bank Fraud Probe. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Foreign Policy. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Cultural Heritage and Landmark Preservation. An IPN Campaign
