The Audiovisual Council sanctioned the television channel "Prime", applying a fine of ten thousand lei, due to child rights infringement during "Vorbește Moldova" show, in the April 15 and 16, 2019, editions. The decision was made on Monday, August 5, after the Press Council repeatedly addressed the members of the board, asking them to analyze the content of the programs once again, content that depicts the story of a sexually abused minor by her stepfather, IPN reports.
The President of the Press Council, Viorica Zaharia, said at the hearing that the request to re-examine the broadcasts is issued after the meeting of the Board of May 17, when the first appeal, filed on April 26, was examined. The Press Council argued that the Prime TV content violated the child protection law against the negative impact of information. "Our impression was that you did not analyze these arguments in depth”, Viorica Zaharia told Audiovisual Council members.
The second Press Council appeal states that the decision issued by the AC on May 17, does not include the Audiovisual Media Services Code enforcers' assessment, yet it presents in great length the TV station's position. Moreover, the Press Council mentions that the AC did not analyze if the abused child's level of public exposure and of the actions of the broadcasters correspond with child protection laws which oblige journalists and representatives of other professions to prioritize the child's best interest when managing, analyzing and reporting on cases of child abuse.
The People's Advocate for Child's Rights, Maia Bănărescu, expressed concern regarding the AC's initial position and said, at the request of IPN, that she salutes taking a stand when the media does not abide by regulations when creating content. According to Maia Bănărescu, even if the children and the parents consent, the best interests of the child must always be taken into account. "The messages must be decent and only in the best interests of the child. We do not have to create shows that victimize and traumatize the child. The content has to be educational and help the child develop”, said Maia Bănărescu.
The Press Council asks the AC, in addition to sanctions, to publicly take a stand against content that contributes to the degradation of the society, instead of contributing to its development, thus discouraging its production on all TV stations across the country.
