Regulations on covering the election campaign approved

The Central Election Committee (CEC) has approved on Friday, April 6, the Regulations on covering the election campaign by mass media in the general local elections scheduled for June 3, 2007. The Regulations was worked out on the basis of the Concept of covering elections, approved on March 29 by the Broadcasting Coordination Council. The document incorporates provisions aimed at regulating activities of broadcast and print press, granting of airtime to candidates, electoral debates and their organisation. Under the Regulations, political parties, unions, blocs and social-political organisations will benefit from free airtime on public radio and TV stations. “Moldova 1” is granting about 30 minutes of advertising airtime and “Radio Moldova” – 60 minutes. Every unaffiliated candidate will be offered 5 minutes on TV and 10 minutes on radio. The smallest duration of an electoral ad will be of 20 seconds and the daily volume of advertising will be of 3 minutes on TV and 5 minutes on radio. According to the Regulations, pubic media will daily offer about 90 minutes for electoral debates. As for private institutions they are also free to host such debates, as there are already institutions desirous of that, as Iurie Ciocan, the CEC secretary has put it. Electoral debates can take place after May 3, upon expiry of the deadline for candidates’ registration. The Regulations represent a normative act and is compulsory for media institution. 2007 general local elections will be held on June 3.