Audiovisual Media Services Code to be amended

Audiovisual Media Services Code is set to be amended. Parliament proposed the amendments for public consultations today.

According to the parliament, the amendments aim to respond to recommendations from international organizations such as the Council of Europe, OSCE/ODIHR, the European Commission, as well as proposals presented at the Media Forum in December 2024.

From December 2024 to May 2025, a group of civil society experts alongside the parliamentary committee of the relevant profile worked on proposals to amend the Audiovisual Media Services Code (CSMA), in cooperation with experts from the Council of Europe.

Additionally, Venice Commission rapporteurs were in Chișinău on May 8-9 at the invitation of Speaker Igor Grosu for consultations regarding the proposed amendments.

They aim to align the CSMA with the updated EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (2018), adjust the mechanism for appointing members of the regulatory authority and the management of the national public media service provider to the standards of the Council of Europe and the norms provided in EU legislation, and address gaps identified in the screening evaluation process in relation to the new European Media Freedom Act.

Thus, the relevant parliamentary committee invites audiovisual media service providers and distributors, media industry representatives, and experts from civil society to submit proposals on the CSMA amendment project by June 6.

Public consultations on the project and the received proposals will take place on June 9, starting at 10:00 AM, at Parliament. Interested people are encouraged to register by June 8, 3:00 PM. The draft law can be consulted here.

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