The advertising market works according to rules that are not known by anyone, considers the executive director of the Independent Press Association Petru Macovei, who said that such a conclusion was reached after two advertising houses signed an unfair agreement by which they offer a reduction to clients that choose to place publicity only through their agency, sharing the money 80% to 20%, IPN reports.

“The created situation shows two things: the advertising market in the Republic of Moldova continues to work according to rules that are not known by anyone. The rules are not very clearly set down and followed, while the Competition Council does not exercise its role on the audiovisual segment,” Petru Macovei stated in the program “Black box” on TV8 channel.

Valentina Novac, head of the Center for the Promotion of Intellectual Property and Competition, said the disappointment is big as the Competition Council does not deal with publicity in the broadcasting sector. “A useful study could have been carried out to know what is going on not only from the viewpoint of the participants in the market, but also of the specialists in the field of competition,” said Valentina Novac.

Head of the Unfair Competition Division of the Competition Council Cornelia Gorincioi said having a dominant position is not a violation, according to the legislation. “We cannot impose new restrictions. The legislation should be respected and the dominant one should not commit abuses. We are for free competition and restrictions in such situations cannot be placed,” stated Cornelia Gorincioi.

Four TV channels accuse two adverting houses of signing an unfair agreement. These filed a complaint to the Competition Council, asking to investigate an eventual violation of the competition legislation.