(IJC/IFEX) – The following is a 3 April 2006 letter to the Moldovan Parliament: PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA PETITION We, the representatives of non-governmental organisations in the field of mass media, consider that the legislation that regulates the audiovisual sector requires urgent improvement. Nevertheless, we have to state that civil society, represented by […]
(IJC/IFEX) – The following is a 3 April 2006 letter to the Moldovan Parliament:
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
PETITION
We, the representatives of non-governmental organisations in the field of mass media, consider that the legislation that regulates the audiovisual sector requires urgent improvement.
Nevertheless, we have to state that civil society, represented by us, has not been involved in the process of the development of the draft Audiovisual Code. This process was not transparent; the content of the Code placed on the site of the Parliament on Tuesday, March 28, was a surprise to us.
Taking into account the strong impact of this document on the democratisation of our society, we consider it absolutely necessary to carry out consultations, hearings and debates on the provisions of the draft Audiovisual Code, together with other bills on the regulation of the audiovisual sector presented in Parliament.
We have been surprised by the hurry with which this legislative draft was promoted by Parliament, despite the fact that the guidelines for cooperation between the Parliament and civil society stipulate that 15 days are required for the presentation of contributions on the part of civil society.
As representatives of civil society and mass media, we request the time necessary to carry out debates among experts and with the general public on this draft. For this reason, we request that the examination of the Audiovisual Code draft be postponed by one month, so that the Parliament can organise hearings with civil society and receive expert advice before proceeding.
[signed by]
Independent Journalism Centre
Association of Electronic Press
Association for Freedom of the Press
Journalists’ Union of Moldova
“Acces – Info” Centre
“Impact-Media” Agency
Committee for Freedom of the Press
Centre for Investigative Journalism
Center for Independent Television Development
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
OWH TV Studio
