State fiscal policy on local press should be changed, study

The fiscal policy on periodicals promoted by the state hinders the development of the local newspapers whose economic situation is worse than of the national papers, shows a study presented by the Association of Independent Press (API) on Wednesday. The study says that the state fiscal policy on district newspapers has a negative effect on them. The managers of these papers consider that the state discriminate the press, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the study “Development of the Local Press in Moldova in 1990-2010”, the managers of the local private papers believe that the state should create advantageous conditions for the development of the mass media. An efficient instrument for supporting the press is to exempt the periodicals from paying the value added tax on the placement of ads, at least for a certain period. Currently, this tax represents 5% of the incomes coming from advertising services. The study says that the local press is disadvantaged in the relations with the state-run company Moldova’s Post Office, which is the main distributor of newspapers, especially in rural areas. Most often, the mass media organizations have to accept discriminatory contractual conditions and tariffs that are imposed without bilateral negotiations and in nontransparent conditions. n Parlamentul The managers of district private papers complain about the poor quality of the services provided by the Moldovan publishing houses and the high prices of these services. The absence of experienced employees is another serious problem faced by the local press. There is a shortage of young journalists who can propose new editorial solutions aimed at stimulating the development of the local newspapers. The newspaper managers consider the young specialists can be attracted by providing special scholarships within public-private partnerships. API head Petru Macovei said the study and its conclusions will be used to formulate proposals for the public policy on the mass media and legislative amendments for improving the situation in the field. The study was carried out with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) within the Moldova Civil Society Strengthening Program, implemented by the Academy for Educational Development.