Media NGOs and the members of the National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum express their concern regarding the disposition issued on the 25th of March by the president of the Audiovisual Council, Dragos VICOL, in the context of the state of emergency declared by the Republic of Moldova’s authorities. The signers conclude that the adopted disposition is a violation of the legislation. Likewise, some stipulations from this document severely impede the freedom of expression of the audiovisual media service providers.
On the 17th of March, 2020, The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova has declared state of emergency in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, between the 17th of March and 15th of May 2020. The Parliament has offered a broad mandate of action to the Exceptional Situations Commission of the Republic of Moldova.
On the 23rd of March, 2020, the Commission has adopted a Disposition which declares deliberative the meetings of the Audiovisual Council (AC) with the presence of at least 4 members (point 10 of the disposition), derogating the provisions of the art. 80 paragraph (3) of the Code of the audiovisual media services, which require the presence of at least 6 members. AC has 9 members.
The signatory organizations made a public call to the President of the CA to revoke his disposition.
