Romania

[RO] The Audiovisual Law, modified by the Senate

IRIS 2019-4:1/29

Eugen Cojocariu

Radio Romania International

On 18 February 2019, the Senate (upper chamber of the Romanian Parliament) adopted a draft law on the modification and completion of Audiovisual Law No. 504/2002 (see IRIS 2010-1/36, IRIS 2011-4/31, IRIS 2011-7/37, IRIS 2013-3/26, IRIS 2013-6/27, IRIS 2014-1/37, IRIS 2014-2/31, IRIS 2014-7/29, IRIS 2014-9/26, IRIS 2015-10/27, IRIS 2016-2/26, IRIS 2016-10/24, IRIS 2017-1/30, IRIS 2017-7/28, IRIS 2018-6/30, IRIS 2018-8/36, IRIS 2018-10/22, IRIS 2019-1/3, IRIS 2019-2/21).

The draft law was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies on 21 November 2018. The Senate’s decision was final. The document introduces the obligation for broadcasters to display or communicate the single national non-stop free telephone number (Telverde) for victims of domestic violence throughout TV and radio programmes (news, debates, talk shows) which address domestic violence. According to both the explanatory memorandum of the draft law and national statistics, in Romania, one person is a victim of domestic violence every 30 seconds, but the number of telephone calls to the line dedicated to this phenomenon is very low. Thus, the draft law introduces a point 13 after Article 17 (1) d) point 12 on the protection of vulnerable social categories, and in particular the protection of victims of domestic violence.

After Chapter III4, a new chapter — Chapter III5, containing Articles 422 to 424 — includes provisions on the protection of victims of domestic violence and requires audiovisual broadcasters to inform victims of the existence of a dedicated telephone number.

Article 422 stipulates that when broadcasting television and radio programmes about domestic violence, it is imperative to ensure that victims of domestic violence are informed of the existence of the telephone number "Telverde for Victims of Domestic Violence". Articles 423 and 424 provide for the exact conditions under which this information must be communicated: through the reading of a text, accompanied by the telephone number indicating Telverde.

References

The Propunere legislativă pentru modificarea şi completarea Legii audiovizualului nr. 504/2002 - forma adoptată de Camera Deputaţilor
http://www.cdep.ro/pls/proiecte/docs/2018/cd413_18.pdf

Propunere legislativă pentru modificarea şi completarea Legii audiovizualului nr. 504/2002 - expunere de motive
http://www.cdep.ro/proiecte/2018/400/10/3/em536.pdf

IRIS 2011-4:1/31 [RO] Draft Amendments to the Audiovisual Law

IRIS 2010-1:1/36 [RO] Audiovisual Law Enters into Force

IRIS 2018-8:1/36 [RO] The Audiovisual Law, back to the Parliament

IRIS 2017-7:1/28 [RO] Modification of the Audiovisual Law concerning television advertising

IRIS 2014-1:1/37 [RO] Rejection of Audiovisual Law Modifications

IRIS 2019-2:1/21 [RO] Three new draft laws to complete the Audiovisual Law

IRIS 2014-2:1/31 [RO] Draft Proposals for Modification and Completion of Audiovisual Law

IRIS 2011-7:1/37 [RO] Modification of the Audiovisual Law Adopted

IRIS 2014-9:1/26 [RO] Modifications of the Audiovisual Act

IRIS 2014-7:1/29 [RO] Modification of the Audiovisual Law

IRIS 2015-10:1/27 [RO] Rejected modifications of the Audiovisual Law

IRIS 2013-6:1/27 [RO] Approval of Emergency Ordinance for the Modification of Audiovisual Law