Maia Sandu had the most TV appearances by frequency and mentions, shows a monitoring report. The PAS candidate in the October 20 presidential elections was covered differently, mostly neutrally, but there are also appearances in a negative context. Of all the candidates, she has the most appearances in a negative context and she also has the most mentions in a positive context.
Sandu is followed by Victoria Furtună and Alexandru Stoianoglo. The other candidates received mostly neutral coverage and, from time to time, a positive or negative appearance, depending on the event they attended or the statements they made. The findings are contained in the third media monitoring report compiled by the Center for Independent Journalism, part of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections.
In a press conference, CJI executive director Nadine Gogu mentioned that in the third week of the election campaign, the 10 monitored TV stations broadcast a total of 316 materials: 270 news items, 37 shows and nine debates.
At Cinema 1, the tonality of the coverage of electoral actors was more neutral, but also negative and positive for some candidates. Maia Sandu was reflected more negatively, but also positively and neutrally. At Exclusiv TV, the tonality of the coverage of the majority of electoral actors was neutral. Most of the political parties were covered neutrally, with the exception of the ruling party, a fact that disfavored Maia Sandu.
Gagauziya Radio Televizionu (GRT) had a neutral tonality in the news of the presentation of the majority of electoral actors. However, especially in the shows, Maia Sandu, Alexandr Stoianoglo, Renato Usatîi and Irina Vlah were reflected more negatively.
On Jurnal TV, political parties appeared neutral, and in some cases negatively. At the public station Moldova 1, the tonality of the coverage of the candidates was neutral in most cases. Maia Sandu was covered both negatively and neutrally, being at the same time benefited by the positive tonality of the relatively large number of materials regarding the activity of the central authorities.
N4 put the ruling party and the PAS candidate in a negative light in all its broadcasts and debates. In the news, the Government’s activity was treated more negatively.
On Pro TV Chisinau, the election candidates were predominantly presented in a neutral light. The former Shor Party and the Victorie bloc had several appearances in a negative context.
On TV 8, most of the electoral contestants were presented in a neutral light, and Victoria Furtună was disadvantaged by most appearances in a negative light.
In TVC 21 broadcasts, the political context was extensively analyzed with three electoral competitors, which put them in a positive light. Among the candidates, Maia Sandu was disadvantaged.
At TVR Moldova, most of the candidates were covered neutrally. By image transfer, Maia Sandu was favored by the positive tone of the appearances of the central authorities and PAS.
