Member accuses BCC of political protectionism

The Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) goes through a period of stagnation and offers political protectionism to TV channels, said BCC member Corneliu Mihalache. On the other hand, the Council’s chairman Marian Pocaznoi said Mihalache’s statements are nothing else but PR aimed at obtaining advantages, Info-Prim Neo reports. Corneliu Mihalache Wednesday issued a statement, saying the BCC became an instrument for repressing the inconvenient broadcasters that do not have political or economic protection. “The TV channel NIT and the radio stations “Ploaia de Argint” and “Fresh” are the most relevant examples. They were brought on the verge of bankruptcy by the Council’s decisions. The permanent pressure exerted on NIT shows that the BCC has political commitments to the government. At the same time, there are TV channels that are outside danger as they belong to influential persons. Two of the AEI leaders already control by three TV channels and do not intend to stop here,” said Corneliu Mihalache. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Marian Pocaznoi denied the accusations. “I assure you that there is no protectionism and oligarchy inside the BCC and no influence is exerted on the Council from outside. If protectionism existed in the broadcasting sector, why did Mihalache voted in favor of the BCC’s report for 2011?” he asked. As to the accusations that the BCC does not yet have a deputy chairman, Marian Pocaznoi said the Council members did not submit such a proposal and urged Corneliu Mihalache to put forward such an initiative.