The Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) penalized two TV channels - Jurnal TV and Publika TV – for irregularities committed when covering the protests staged in Chisinau. The Council monitored 14 TV channels to see how they covered the protests mounted by the Civic Platform “Dignity and Truth”, the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) and the Political Party “Our Party” (PPPN), IPN reports.
The TV channels were monitored in the period between September 6 and 27. According to the monitoring report, 506 subjects that related directly or indirectly to the protests staged by Platform “Dignity and Truth” and 46 subjects about the protests organized by the PSRM and PPPN were broadcast in the period.
Most of the irregularities were committed by Jurnal TV and Publika TV. The two channels covered the Platform’s protests without presenting the second opinion. As the penalties imposed earlier on Publika TV were challenged in court and were suspended, the BCC only warned this channel. Jurnal TV was fined 5,400 lei, which is the highest amount possible, even if some members of the Council suggested giving it a warning too. This TV channel was earlier warned for similar deviations.
The public TV channel Moldova 1 in the period covered the protests mainly impartially and avoiding conflict subjects. The Platform’s protests were 89% covered, while those mounted by the PSRM/PPPN - 11% covered.
BCC member Olga Gututui said the monitored broadcasters can be divided into three categories: those that didn’t violate the regulations and covered the protests impartially and correctly; those that committed some violations as regards the plurality of sources, but probably without intending to, and those that violate consciously and misinform. She called on the broadcasters that commit irregularities to follow the example of those that show that they aspire to high quality journalism.
Member Nicolae Damaschin said some of the TV channels present information in a distorted way. He noted that Moldova 1 is a model of correctness and impartiality.
The Council’s head Dinu Ciocan stated that the protests were covered massively and tens of hours of airtime were provided, which is very well, but there were committed irregularities and this is serious. Presenting the information without ensuring the plurality of sources is the most serious irregularity.
