The Broadcasting Coordination Council imposed the minimum fine of 1,800 lei on the TV channels Accent TV, Publika, Prime, Canal 2 and Canal 3 for violating the regulations concerning the election campaign covering during the monitored period (May 18-27). TV7, Ren Moldova, Jurnal TV and N4 were warned publicly, IPN reports.

The monitored channels broadcast 513 materials centering on political subjects within their main news programs. Of the 17 candidates for the mayoralty of Chisinau, Dorin Chirtoaca, Serafim Urechean, Vasili Chirtoca, Oazu Nantoi, Grigore Petrenco and Monica Babuc appeared in the programs most often.

Of the political parties involved in the election campaign, the PSRM was presented in 15.5% of the news, the PLDM – in 12.4%, the PDM – in 11.4%, the PL –  in 11%, while the PCRM – in 10.1%.

The Council’s members expressed their concern about the situation at Prime, Publika TV, Canal 2 and Canal 3. The report shows that these channels are politically biased in favor of the PDM and broadcast hidden publicity.

Accent TV promotes mainly the PSRM, while TV7, N4 and Ren Moldova give priority to the candidates of the PLDM.

The other TV channels monitored, Moldova1 and PRO TV Chisinau, didn’t deviate from the regulations concerning the covering of the campaign preceding the June 14 local elections.