Romania

[RO] Audiovisual requirements for the European elections

IRIS 2019-6:1/21

Eugen Cojocariu

Radio Romania International

The Consiliul Naţional al Audiovizualului (National Audiovisual Council, CNA) reminded on 9 April 2019 all the audiovisual broadcasters involved in the editorial coverage of the electoral campaign for the 26 May European elections to be held in Romania that they have the obligation to observe the legislation in the field (see IRIS 2009-6/28, IRIS 2011-3/29, IRIS 2014-5/27).

Considering that in the audiovisual area between 27 April 2019, from 00:00 to 25 May 2019 to 7:00, the electoral campaign for the European elections is underway, the CNA reminded the public and private radio and television stations wishing to serve the public interest by organizing the editorial coverage of the electoral campaign through the audiovisual program services, that they have the obligation to observe the provisions of the legislation in the field, including the recently adopted Decision no. 308/2019 with regard to the rules of the audiovisual electoral campaign for the election of the members from Romania in the European Parliament.

The CNA members decided on 9 April 2019 to draw the attention of moderators of electoral debates to observe the principle of impartiality, to ensure the necessary balance for conducting such broadcasts, and to intervene if the guests of the programs do not observe the provisions of the audiovisual legislation.

The presence of candidates and their supporters on public and commercial radio and television stations may take place in electoral programs in accordance with the principles of fairness, equilibrium, and impartiality designed to contribute to the transmission of undistorted messages to the public, ensuring that it is properly informed on the basis of expressing a pluralism of opinions, the Council recalled.

As a guarantor of the public interest in the field of audiovisual communication, the National Audiovisual Council has warned that it will carefully monitor all broadcasts intended to cover the electoral campaign on radio and television stations and will apply sanctions if it finds breaches of the legal provisions.