Romania

[RO] CNA and ARCA Sign Protocol

IRIS 2006-5:1/32

Mariana Stoican

Journalist, Bucharest

At the end of March 2006, the Consiliul Naţional al Audiovizualului (Romanian regulatory body for electronic media - CNA)and the Asociaţia Română de Comunicaţii Audiovizuale (Romanian audiovisual communications association - ARCA) signed a protocol designed to ensure closer compliance with Council of Europe Recommendation (2000) 23 (see IRIS 2001-1:2). The Recommendation states that, before imposing sanctions, regulatory authorities in the audiovisual sector should give broadcasters the opportunity to be heard.

In the protocol, the CNA agrees to inform the broadcaster concerned about the existence of a complaint about a breach of a law or CNA regulation. It will also give the precise date on which the complaint is due to be investigated. The CNA must provide this information at least 24 hours before the discussion is due to take place. The broadcaster will thus be able to express its own views before the matter is assessed by the regulatory authority, either in writing or by sending a representative to participate in the relevant CNA meeting. In this way, the CNA will be able to take the broadcaster's point of view into account when taking its decision.