Romanian-language TV programmes, domestic content to have a greater share in audiovisual space of Moldova; legislative initiative supported by parliament

Romanian-language TV programmes and domestic content will have a greater share in the audiovisual space. A draft law to this effect today was approved in the first reading by 53 MPs. The initiative proposes amendments to the Audiovisual Media Services Code of Moldova and to the Law on the mechanism for examining investments of importance for state security.

The document was presented by the head of the parliamentary commission for culture, education, research, youth, sports and mass media, Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei. She emphasized that the draft aims to strengthen the promotion of the Romanian language and domestic content in the national audiovisual space.

“The initiative provides for the transposition of the provisions of the European Audiovisual Media Services Directive. Another aspect concerns strengthening the regulatory and oversight capacity of the Audiovisual Council. The draft also contains many technical provisions. All interventions are in line with European standards. Thus, during the drafting of the bill, we held consultations with colleagues from the European Union. All aspects introduced in the draft are in line with their recommendations,” underlined Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei.

The draft introduces a new chapter into the Audiovisual Media Services Code, which for the first time regulates the structure and work of the regional public media service provider of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (UTA Gagauzia). Thus, provisions are established regarding the appointment of the director, the responsibilities of the Management Committee, the composition and role of the Regional Supervisory Council, as well as the Terms of Reference, budget and liability of the institution.

The initiative was criticized by representatives of the parliamentary opposition. A lawmaker of the Party of Socialists (PSRM), Vladimir Odnostalco, stressed that “the legislative amendments might affect the activity of the media in UTA Gagauzia.”

In the context, Liliana Onofrei noted that, both in the case of a national public provider and in the case of a regional public provider, the operating rules must be exactly the same.

“From our point of view, independence can be ensured through the same mechanisms: pre-selection by competition of the members of the Supervisory Council, selection by competition of a director who is not affiliated, not a party member, and not paid under the table by well-known oligarchs who are fugitives and convicted. There must be exactly the same possibilities for creating a development strategy for this television channel, a strategy that targets the cultural interests of the autonomy and is implemented by a person selected through competition, who can deliver something truly important for the cultural development of UTA Gagauzia,” emphasized Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei.

One of the main provisions of the document is the introduction of an obligation for TV channels to broadcast, between 06:00 and 24:00, at least 50 per cent of their programmes in the Romanian language or dubbed into Romanian. An exception will apply to channels meant for communities in which an ethnic minority is the majority in the concerned administrative-territorial unit.

The draft also provides for an increase, from 50 to 60 per cent, in the minimum share of television services in the Romanian language or with Romanian subtitling or dubbing in distributors’ packages. At the same time, television services in any other language may not exceed 30 per cent of the total distributed package, for each language separately.

Another amendment concerns support for domestic audiovisual production. Television providers would have to allocate at least 5 per cent of their weekly airtime to audiovisual works produced by independent producers from Moldova. In addition, the share of European works created by independent producers will increase to at least 10 per cent of weekly airtime, of which at least half must be recent works produced in the last five years.

The draft also provides for an increase, from 10 to 20 per cent, in the share of musical works by composers and artists from Moldova. The 30-per cent quota for musical works in the Romanian language remains unchanged.

The new provisions also concern the protection of minors and persons with disabilities. Personal data of minors collected by media service providers may not be used for commercial purposes. At the same time, providers will submit an annual report to the Audiovisual Council on the measures taken to ensure the accessibility of services for persons with disabilities.

The initiative also transposes provisions of Directive (EU) 2018/1808 on audiovisual media services and seeks to strengthen the regulatory and oversight capacity of the Audiovisual Council. It also regulates the international restrictive measures applicable in the audiovisual field, by establishing clear obligations for media service providers and distributors, including verification of contractual partners, retention of supporting documents and suspension of broadcasting in the event of violations of these measures.

The draft was developed by a group of MPs, with the support of the Council of Experts attached to the parliamentary commission for culture, education, research, youth, sports and mass media, experts from the Audiovisual Council and representatives of the Culture Ministry.

The legislative amendments are to be examined by the parliament in the second reading. After approval, the draft is to enter into force on January 1, 2027.