Seven media nongovernmental organizations expressed their concern about the signals of cartel agreements on the advertising market, which further distort the broadcasting sector of Moldova, which already witnesses multiple irregularities and shortcomings. Recently, the channels Jurnal TV, PRO TV Chisinau, TV8 and RTR-Moldova filed a complaint to the Competition Council whereby they request to investigate the suspicion that two advertising agencies implemented anti-competitive practices by which the competition on the advertising market was restricted, IPN reports.

In a statement, the seven NGOs said the signals are alarming at a time when the two advertising agencies to which the signatories make reference represent the interests of media holdings that have significant shares of the national television market and the eventual concerted actions of these would represent an abuse.

The NGOs request the Competition Council to examine the complaint of the four TV channels taking into account the good competition practices on the media markets of EU member states. They also ask to take into consideration the imminent danger of a possible cartel agreement between the largest advertising agencies that serve the interests of owners of TV channels to fair and legal completion on this specific market and to the development of democracy and the freedom of expression in Moldova, especially in the electoral year 2018.

The signatories call on the EU Delegation, the U.S. Embassy, other development partners, embassies and international and European organizations to attentively monitor this case, while the EU Delegation is requested to consider the possibility of setting up a special EU observation mission for problems related to the situation on the media market of Moldova.

The statement was signed by the Association of Independent Press, Independent Journalism Center, Electronic Press Association, Center for Promotion of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information “Acces info”, Association of Independent Tele-Journalists, Committee for the Freedom of the Press and Journalistic Investigations Center.