Concept on covering local referendum in media to be published in Official Journal of Moldova

Chisinau, 12 October /MOLDPRES/- The concept on coverage of electoral campaign at the local referendum on dismissal of Dorin Chirtoaca from Chisinau mayor position of 19 November 2017 by the Moldovan broadcasting institutions, recently adopted by the Audiovisual Coordinating Council, will be published in the Official Journal of Moldova on 13 October.

The concept sets the coverage of elections by broadcasting institutions and aims to ensure a fair, balanced and impartial coverage of the election campaign in the local referendum on 19 November, promotion of freedom of expression and political pluralism, setting binding rules for the practical application of these principles by broadcasters.

Under the document, the media will reflect the local referendum in line with the provisions of the Constitution, Electoral Code, Broadcasting Code, Law on Freedom of Expression, Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, Regulation on covering local referendum of 19 November 2017 in media (approved by CEC), present Conception and international documents to which Moldova is a party, respecting the rights of the categories of voters with special needs.

In case of violations, responsibility lies with license holders and re-broadcasting authorities. During the election campaign, the broadcasters’ administrations will supervise the observance of the electoral and audiovisual legislation. They will submit to CCA and CEC weekly reports covering the campaign, which will include information on the observance of the legal norms in the coverage of the local referendum by the broadcasters in all programmes, and two days before the day of referendum – a summing up report.

Each broadcaster who will cover the election campaign will submit to the CCA a statement on editorial policy for the electoral campaign. The declaration may be submitted to CCA within the first seven days of CEC’s approval of the Regulation on covering local referendum of 19 November 2017 in media.

The referendum to dismiss the mayor will take place on 19 November 2017.

Over 160,000 votes are needed to dismiss the mayor. At least one third of over 647,000 voters on the lists should attend the poll in order for the referendum to be validated.

Dorin Chirtoaca tops the capital since 2007, currently in his third term. Currently, the mayor is investigated in two cases on trafficking of influence and overcoming service duties, and is under house arrest.

(Reporter A. Zara, editor M. Jantovan)