The projects elaborated by the Working Group for the improvement of the media legislation in the
former Parliament did not reach the attention of the deputies from the new Legislature. Outstanding
projects are those regarding advertising, amending the Competition Law, meant to improve the
competitive situation on the media market.
The People's Advocate subscribes to the appeal110 of the media community regarding the need
to adopt the draft amendment and completion of 7 laws. The package of laws, which contains the
recommendations of the Center for Independent Journalism, the Independent Press Association and
other non-governmental media organizations, includes amendments to the Law on Access to
Information, the Law on Freedom of Expression, the Law on the Protection of Personal Data, the
Law on petitions, the Contravention Code, the Law on State Secrecy and the Press Law. The
amendments aim to improve the situation in the media and create better working conditions for
journalists. The draft law provides for the reduction of the deadline for providing information of
public interest to applicants, providing facilities for processing personal data for media institutions,
defining the notion of information of public interest and expanding the list of providers of such
information, amending some provisions regarding the state secret, the introduction of the public
register of the media, etc.
It is necessary to develop and consult with the whole society a strategy and an action plan for
the implementation of the National Concept of Media Development in the Republic of Moldova.
In January 2019, entered into force the Code of Audiovisual Media Services, developed with
the participation of civil society and based on the recommendations of the CoE and the OSCE. The
document establishes the principles of media independence, development of audiovisual pluralism
and protection and development of the national audiovisual space. At the same time, media experts
pointed out that the document needs some improvements in ensuring the impartiality and editorial
independence of audiovisual media institutions and the exclusion of influences from political
interests. A draft law amending the Code has been registered in the current Parliament to prevent
the participation of subjects from jurisdictions that do not comply with international standards of
transparency in the activities of providing and distributing audiovisual services.
The People's Advocate draws attention not only to the need to complete and improve the legal
framework that regulates the activity of the media, but also to the observance of the legislation, its
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