Speaker says legal issues impede a private radio station to broadcast Parliament sittings

There is a series of contradictions of legal nature in what concerns the possibility for the private radio station Vocea Basarabiei to broadcast live the sittings of Parliament, Speaker Marian Lupu said Friday, October 5. Answering to an interpellation on the subject made by MP Igor Klipii, Lupu stated that he examined the issue in detail and, according to the legal expert advice he was given, the situation is “quite contradictory”. Nevertheless, Lupu promised that the issue “will form part of the discussions and consultations during the next meeting of the Standing Bureau”. He went on to add that he personally advocates for live broadcasts, but “we all must act in compliance with the law”. For his part, MP Vladimir Filat said the issue must be debated in consideration of the public character of the Parliament’s sittings. He also advised the Speaker not to limit himself to hearing just the opinion of the parliamentary law commission on that matter. On March 23, the Parliament amended its Regulations and annulled the compulsoriness of live broadcasts from Parliament. Later Vocea Basarabiei announced its availability to continue broadcasting and to cover all the related costs, but no decision has been made so far.