Teleradio-Moldova to kick off election debate series on March 9

The national public broadcaster Teleradio-Moldova will start on March 9 holding election debates thrice a day, after its Supervisory Board on Thursday approved guidelines for covering the election campaign, Info-Prim Neo reports. The debates will be held in three 30-minute rounds each day (at 19:45, 21:40, and 22:30 on the television and at 8:00, 11:00, and 17:00 on the radio), and each time will host 2 or 3 candidates. They will have to submit participation requests to the company until March 5. The participants will receive an invitation at least 12 hours before the start time of the broadcast. A drawing of lots to determine the order of participation will be held on March 6 at 10:30. The Board also approved the concept of a new program called “Electorala”, which will inform the public on the developments of the election campaign, will publicize announcements of the Central Election Commission and local election commissions. The program will come out as soon as there are enough materials to fill an installment. The maximal time alloted for the paid political advertising to each party or candidate will be 120 minutes on TV and 120 minutes on radio. The duration of the publicity for an electoral competitor must not exceed 2 minutes a day. The rates for a minute of air time are 450 euros on TV and 80 euros on radio.