The cooperation with a working group that is to be formed of representatives of the media and that will submit proposals for choosing members of the Audiovisual Council, the unjustified rise in rental for media outlets based in buildings managed by the Government and the problem of print media distribution are the priorities that will be discussed by the executive as matters of urgency, Prime Minister Maia Sandu stated in a meeting with representatives of the media and media organizations on June 18, IPN reports.

The Premier enumerated the problems faced by the media outlets, saying the press can formulate proposals and solutions. Maia Sandu noted the media outlets should be independent and should do their job safely.

Petru Macovei, director of the Association of Independent Press, said the reformation of the Audiovisual Council and of the Competition Council is a priority as these institutions are important for the functioning of the media in Moldova. Also, the state institutions should react to the appearance of fake news.

Natalia Morari, president of SA Media Alternativa, made reference to the laws concerning the mass media, saying these laws should also be implemented after they are adopted.

Another problem broached by Natalia Morari is the rise in rental for media outlets based in buildings that belong to the Government. The subject was also raised by the director of IPN News Agency Valeriu Vasilică, who said that the rental last year was raised by 30% and an indirect rise in rental costs incurred by the media outlets based in the Press House was also introduced this year by a stratagem and this is done under the aegis of the Government.

Cornelia Cozonac, president of the Journalistic Investigations Center, noted transparency should be properly ensured in governmental institutions so that the whole press has access to information.

Jurnal Trust Media director Val Butnaru pleaded for launching programs focusing on national TV channels so as to create content that would compete in a healthy way with the content of foreign TV channels that invest tens of millions of dollars in production.

The problem of content and advertising market building was also raised by Dumitru Țîra. He said a working group should be set up to adjust the national legislation to the EU standards and good international practices.

At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Maia Sandu said that a short-term plan of action will be drafted by the Government based on the problems presented by the representatives of the media.