The Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) warned publicly the private TV channel TV7 for retransmitting the copyright film “Transnistria: Russian Outpost”. The Council said the channel violated the Broadcasting Code article saying the broadcasters are obliged to ensure the objective informing of program consumers, favoring the free formation of opinions, IPN reports.

BCC member Dinu Ciocan said the film is propagandistic in character and was broadcast with the aim of damaging Moldova’s image. The Transnistrian region is presented as a state with all the typical features of a country, while Moldova appears as an occupant. The 14th Army is presented as the savior of Transnistria. The two banks of the Nistru River are described as diametrically opposed regions as regards living standards. The film author says the able to work people from the right bank of the Nistru went to work abroad. The women work in Italy, looking after elderly people, while the men work in the construction sector in Russia.

BCC chairman Marian Pocaznoi said he felt offended when he watched the film. “A viewpoint was shown, but lie should not be promoted. The film attacks the country’s national integrity,” he stated.

Council member Mariana Onceanu-Hadarca said it is serious when a broadcaster working on Moldova’s territory transmits such films, misinforming the people. Nobody has the right to impose censorship, but the broadcaster’s administration should have balanced the information by presenting opinions of specialists. The film impinges on the national security and territorial integrity of Moldova.

TV7 director general Natalia Davidovici said the film is a copyright film made by a Russian journalist. The channel cannot intervene in the programs of НТВ channel, which it retransmits.