Mass media's access to public interest official info to be extended in Moldova

Chisinau, 25 September /MOLDPRES/ – The official info requested by periodicals, press agencies and mass media service providers for the purpose of exercising the functional attributions, with exception of materials and info qualified as state secret, will be provided without collection of payments, with protection of personal data, according to a project law, endorsed positively at the Government meeting, on Wednesday, 25 September.

The project provides for the completion of a supplement to the Law on the cadastre of immovable property, which stipulates that the systematic info on immovable property on which a person owns property is issued "to periodical publications, press agencies and mass media service providers for the purpose of exercising their functional duties", with the assurance personal data protection. The journalists will also be granted access to the central bank of the cadastre of immovable property.

According to project, for the provision of info from the State Register (RS) and from the documents of incorporation of the legal persons requested by periodical publications, press agencies and mass media service providers for the purpose of exercising the functional attributions, ensuring the protection of personal data, there are received no payments.

The amendment to the Law on access to info stipulates that the official info required by periodicals, press agencies and mass media service providers will be made available, without payment, for the purpose of exercising their functional duties. Currently, the taxes collected range from MDL 50 – MDL 245. Also, the journalists are given the right to request info from RS and from the acts of incorporation of legal persons.