The Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) in 2015 issued 30 new licenses and imposed over 100 penalties. In its January 28 meeting, the Council listened to and approved the activity report for the previous year, IPN reports.

Dorina Curnic, head of the General Licensing and Authorization Division, said that last year the Council held 44 meetings in which it adopted 224 decisions. Three new TV channels appeared last year – Agro TV, IPTV and NTV Moldova, as well as a radio station – Eco FM.

The Council also issued 42 retransmission authorizations and withdrew nine authorizations at the initiative of the holders. On January 1, 2016, there were used 207 licenses and authorizations. Of these, 74 are broadcast licenses for televised services, 57 for audiovisual services, while 76 are retransmission licenses and authorizations.

During 17 service trips, the BCC examined the activity of all the service distributors and imposed penalties on 83 license and authorization holders. It also issued 115 public warnings, imposed 33 fines and suspended and then withdrew a retransmission authorization.

As many as 48 broadcasters were monitored in a planned way in 2015. These included 20 TV channels and 28 radio stations. As a result of notifications, there were also monitored another 18 broadcasters.

Dorina Curnic said that this year the BCC took over the presidency of the Black Sea Broadcasting Regulatory Authorities Forum (BRAF). In autumn, the Council will organize the seventh BRAF meeting that will bring together broadcasting regulators from over 15 states.