Broadcasting Authority reports insignificant progress at national broadcasters

Insignificant progress was registered concerning impartiality and pluralist expression of ideas and opinions, and use of several information sources in 2006, especially at the public TV station Moldova 1. In the report of the Broadcast Coordinating Council is mentioned that one of its concerns was observance and sanctioning of broadcasters that admitted violence and pornographic scenes in their programmes, fact that can affect the physical and psychological development, especially of the teenagers. The Council has noted violations concerning the interdiction to broadcast pornographic scenes, exaggerated violence and uncensored language in the case of TV and radio stations that retransmit their programs from outside Moldova (Ren TV, TV 1000, TNT, and “Vzrosloe Radio Shanson”). Although the Council tackled the issue of violence in the national broadcasting field, it did not manage to contribute through its regulations to stopping or softening exaggerated violence in the TV and radio programmes, the report mentions. A separated chapter regarding the violation of the legislation and of the European Convention on cross-border television is the excess of advertisement, sometimes promotion of occult services, including the use of doubtful medicaments and treatments. However, the number of such advertisements was considerably reduced in 2006 compared with previous years. But it was reported an increase in the hidden advertisement, which is also a violation of the laws on broadcasting. As regards the protection of culture and official language, the local broadcasters have also registered a series of infringements. The broadcaster TeleDixi, Autoradio, Europa Plus neglected this aspect. Depending on the character and gravity of the violations admitted by the broadcasting licence holders, the Council applied public warnings and other sanctions stipulated by the legislation, the report says. The Council’s activity report will be presented before the Parliament.