New candidacy for position of Audiovisual Council member proposed to Moldova's parliament

Vasile Botnaru's candidacy will be proposed to parliament for appointment as a member of the Audiovisual Council, for the remainder of the term. A decision to this effect today was approved by the parliamentary committee for culture, education, research, youth, sports and mass media.

The members of the parliamentary committee examined Vasile Botnaru's candidacy, which was proposed by the Action and Solidarity Party’s (PAS) faction, following the vacancy of a position in last March.

Vasile Botnaru is one of the most well-known journalists in Moldova, producer and host of radio and TV shows. During 18 years, he was the director of the Chisinau office of Radio Free Europe. He was one of the founders of the BASA-Press News Agency and a correspondent for the Associated Press. He has also worked as editor-in-chief and editorial secretary for several periodicals, as well as a university lecturer. In 2009, he was awarded the Order of the Republic, the highest state distinction in Moldova.

Under the legislation, the Audiovisual Council is made up of seven members: three put forward by parliamentary factions, observing the proportional representation of the parliamentary majority and opposition, one proposed by the President of  Moldova, one proposed by the Government of Moldova and two members put forward by civil society organizations.

The members of the Audiovisual Council are appointed by the majority vote of the MPs for a single six-year term.