Most of the ten monitored TV channels neutrally cover the campaign prior to the October 20 presidential election, even if preferential attitudes towards some of the candidates were also witnessed, shows the first monitoring report for September 20-26, presented by the Independent Journalism Center, IPN reports.
In a news conference hosted by IPN, the Center’s executive director Nadine Gogu, said that the monitored TV channels are: Cinema 1, Exclusiv TV, GRT, Jurnal TV, Moldova 1, N 4, TVC 21, TVR Moldova, Pro TV, and TV8 are.
At Cinema 1, the tone in the news in relation to most of the candidates was neutral and sometimes positive. Maia Sandu and Alexandr Stoianoglo had positive and negative appearances, especially in programs. Ion Chicu, among the candidates, but also Vladimir Voronin, who is not contending in the presidential election, had the longest live time in shows.
The materials broadcast by Exclusiv TV have neutrally covered the protagonists, sometimes with a positive tone. Alexandr Stoianoglo and Maia Sandu had the highest number of appearances in a positive context. Maia Sandu was also mentioned in a negative context. The central public administration was covered both in a positive light and in a negative and neutral light.
GRT (Gagauziya Radio Television) briefly covered the campaign in the news, the electoral topics being mostly treated in programs presented from a critical perspective. Maia Sandu was presented both neutrally and negatively. The central public administration and the ruling party appeared in a neutral and a negative light.
Jurnal TV provided access to the news to most of the registered election candidates. The tone was mostly neutral for candidates and parties. Maia Sandu and Andrei Năstase each had by an appearance in a positive light.
The public television channel Moldova 1 provided access to the news to most of the registered election contestants. The tone of the coverage was mostly neutral. Maia Sandu had the most appearances and mentions in a neutral light, being also advantaged by positive appearances in materials about the work of state institutions.
On N4, Maia Sandu enjoyed a positive tone in the news, but also had appearances in a negative light. Alexandr Stoianoglo had appearances in a positive light in some shows.
Pro TV Chisinau offered relatively equal access to the news to all candidates, who were presented mainly in a neutral and a negative light. Victoria Furtună and Ion Chicu appeared in a negative light most of the times. The political parties were mostly neutrally covered.
TV8 has a balanced coverage of the election campaign. Renato Usatyi and Vasile Tarlev had appearances in a positive light. Igor Munteanu, who was not registered as a presidential election candidate, had an appearance in a negative light.
TVC 21 briefly reflected the campaign in short bulletins and broadcasts. Irina Vlah, Vasile Tarlev and Andrei Năstase appeared in a positive light. Maia Sandu appeared in a negative light, as did the central public administration and the PAS. Alexandr Stoianoglo was not mentioned or reflected at all.
TVR Moldova provided access to most of the registered election contestants. The tone was mostly neutral. Victoria Furtună and Alexandr Stoianoglo also had appearances in a negative context. Maia Sandu had positive appearances, being also advantaged by the positive tone of the materials on the government’s work.
The monitoring will continue in the coming weeks.
Note: IPN Agency offers the right of reply to persons who consider that they were targeted in the news articles produced based on the statements of the organizers of this press conference, including by facilitating the organization of another press conference under similar conditions.
