Romania

[RO] Occult TV Ban

IRIS 2002-8:1/19

Mariana Stoican

Journalist, Bucharest

On 25 July 2002, the Consiliul National al Audiovizualului (National Audiovisual Council - CNA) advised all broadcasters that they should no longer allow magicians or occult phenomena to be portrayed in their programmes. The CNA's warning pointed out that the Legea audiovizualului nr. 504 (Act no. 504 on the activities of the electronic media), which entered into force on 22 July 2002, prohibited the direct or indirect promotion of occult practices. On the basis of the Act, the CNA demanded that any advertising for magic and any programme material that might be seen to advocate occult practices be immediately withdrawn. The CNA communiqué stated that failure to comply with these provisions would be penalised with fines ranging between ROL 50 and 500 million.