Experts Suggest New Amendments of the Draft Audiovisual Code

The present title of the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual (CCA) needs to be changed by excluding the word “coordinating”, assert the authors of some modification suggestions of the draft Broadcast Code, approved by the Parliament in first reading. This proposal was presented on Friday at public debates regarding the Audiovisual from Moldova, organized on the occasion of the Press Freedom Days by the Public Policy Institute with the support of Soros-Moldova Foundation. This proposal was launched by the former member of CCA, Constantin Partsac and the professor of the Journalism Cathedra of the State University of Moldova, Ion Bunduchi. They mentioned that the “CCA” abbreviation not only could create confusions with other institutions, but nominates only a part of its duties which are in fact wider, inclusively to penalize and offer licenses. Partsac also proposed to be instituted the statute of the member candidate to CCA. The candidates should be selected by the specialized parliamentary commission being consulted the suggestions of the media organizations. The expert proposed to select 18 candidates, two for one position. The candidates must be well known personalities of the mass-media area and to have superior studies and at least a 10 years experience. Bunduchi proposed that the seat of a CCA member to constitute 6 years comparing to the present term of 5 years. At the first stage, 3 members are to be proposed for 2 years, 3 members for 4 years and other 3 on a full term. Bunduchi also suggested that the members of CCA could have a single 6 years seat and at the begging and the end of the term, the named person to declare his personal patrimony. At the same time, other authors suggested that these proposals to be sent by the Creation Unions of the Cinema Workers, Musicians, Artists, Performers, Writers (3 members), by the mass-media Association, Independent Journalism Center and Journalists’ Union (other 4), also 3 by the Association of Independent and Electronic Press and by the Committee for Press Freedom. The position of CCA member must be incompatible with other public or private positions excepting scientific or didactic. Constantin Partsac declared to the press that all these proposals are aimed for ensuring the maximum possibility to name in in CCA only professionals, personalities that must have the engagement to avoid political interferences and to solve the audiovisual problems only in the name of national interests. The legislative initiatives regarding the audiovisual from Moldova are the theme for three days public debates that take place on May 5, 12, and 19 and will end with a national conference were will be noted all the proposals regarding the modification of the draft Audiovisual Code.