Olga Ciolacu: We want to be treated with respect

Moldovan singers demand that the Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) increase the airtime allotted to national music on the public and private radio stations and television channels. A related request was made public Monday in a news conference held to announce the creation of the Union of Professional Singers, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the Union's president Iurie Badicu, the singers did not have an association that would defend their rights, especially in accordance with the new law on copyright and related rights. “The main goals pursued by the Union are to protect the national singers who are authors of specific cultural works and contribute to the development of musical culture and the promotion of singers' rights and the copyright,” said Iurie Badicu. The Union's representatives demanded that the BCC make a decision, whereby the share of the national songs be increased to not less than 50% of the volume of musical programs on radio and television. In the music radio and TV services, the national songs should constitute not less than 40% of the volume of musical programs, while in the non-music radio and TV services – not less than 35%. “The artists are often ignored. We need a representative body that would protect us. We want to be treated with respect,” said Olga Ciolacu, president of honor and founder of the Union of Professional Singers. Ion Suruceanu is also a president of honor of the Union. The Union is managed by a Board composed of well-known singers, including Nelly Ciobanu, Aura, Natalia Gordienco, Sandu Gorgos, Adrian Ursu, Vitalie Dani, Adriana Ochisanu, Ion Rata (Catharsis), Igor Sarbu (Akord), Igor Rusu, Mihai Ciobanu, Irina Bivol, Margareta Ivanus, and Maria Iliut. The Union now has 100 members.