Romania

[RO] Electronic Media Sanctions for Sensitive Cases

IRIS 2011-1:1/44

Eugen Cojocariu

Radio Romania International

The Consiliul Naţional al Audiovizualului (National Council for Electronic Media - CNA) fined on 4 and 9 November 2010 several Romanian commercial TV stations and issued public warnings for others due to the violation of audiovisual laws with regard to the media coverage of sensitive cases and to the observance of advertising rules (see inter alia IRIS 2010-10/38, IRIS 2010-8/42, IRIS 2010-7/33, IRIS 2010-1/38).

Pro TV and Antena 1 were imposed a fine of RON 20,000 (EUR 4,650) each, Kanal D of RON 5,000 (EUR 1,165), Antena 2 and OTV received public warnings because of breaches of the Audiovisual Law and the Audiovisual Code when covering the subject of sensitive photos of two Romanian actors issued by print media. The sanctions were issued for violations of audiovisual laws and regulations concerning the protection of children and minors and the classification criteria of audiovisual productions. Two well-known retired Romanian actors had decided to make almost nude photos, issued by several print media in Romania, in order to protest against the Government’s measures to dramatically diminish the wages, pensions and income in the budgetary sector, including the arts and culture institutions.

Furthermore, the commercial station Realitatea TV was fined RON 10,000 (EUR 2,330) because of breaches of the Audiovisual Law and the Audiovisual Code when covering the issue of alleged accusations of high level corruption and exertion of influence in the so called „ALRO File”. The TV station was accused of infringing the rules regarding an objective information of the public, through a correct presentation of facts and events, the freedom to form one’s own opinion, the right to one’s own picture, the observance of the fundamental human rights and freedoms, the interdiction to profit from someone’s ignorance or good faith. The „ALRO File” is linked to an alleged incorrect privatisation, a few years ago, of an important aluminium producer in the Southern part of Romania. There are allegations the Romanian President and some former high level dignitaries favoured one of the competitors.

The CNA also issued sanctions for repeated breaches of the advertising limits on several commercial TV stations. Antena 3, B1 TV and Naţional TV were imposed fines of RON 20,000 (EUR 4,650) each; OTV, Prima TV, Antena 1 and Realitatea TV received fines of RON 10,000 (EUR 2,330) each. According to the Romanian Audiovisual Law, commercial TV stations are allowed to broadcast an hourly maximum of 12 minutes of advertising and teleshopping.