Controversy over new broadcast schedule of Moldova 1 channel

Corneliu Mihalache, a member of the Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC), accuses the administration of Teleradio-Moldova Company (TRM) of illegally excluding the news program “Mesagerul” in the Russian language, aired at 19.00, from the broadcast schedule of the TV cannel “Moldova 1”. In a press statement, Corneliu Mihalache says the broadcaster did not inform the BCC about the changes in its program. At the same time, Eugeniu Rybka, chairman of TRM’s Supervisory Board, said there is no legislative provision obliging the Board to consult the BBC about the changes in the schedule of the national public broadcaster, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Corneliu Mihalache, this act is political in character and shows once again that the public broadcaster promotes political interests to the detriment of the people’s interests. “It is enough to remember the violations committed by Parliament when electing the current Supervisory Board, which is very obedient to the government,” said the BCC member. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Eugeniu Rybka said that the broadcast schedules since 2010 have been adopted in strict compliance with the Broadcasting Code. “The adoption and amendment of the broadcast schedules are the prerogatives of Teleradio-Moldova. This is not within the competence of the BCC,” he stated. Eugeniu Rubka also said that in order to ensure access to information, the airtime allotted for the news programs in Russian was increased from 30 to 45 minutes. These programs are transmitted at 9.00, 17.00 and 23.00. From October 10, “Mesagerul” in Romanian is broadcast at 19.00, not 21.00 as earlier.