Romania

[RO] Modification of the Audiovisual Code

IRIS 2019-8:1/34

Eugen Cojocariu

Radio Romania International

The Consiliul Naţional al Audiovizualului(National Audiovisual Council, CNA) adopted Decision No. 614 of June 11, 2019, for amending and completing Decision No. 220/2011 of the National Audiovisual Council with regard to the Code of Regulation of the Audiovisual Content. The decision was published in the Official Journal of Romania No. 517 of June 24, 2019, Part I (see, inter alia, IRIS 2014-5/28 and IRIS 2017-4/31).

After Article 41 (1) c), a new paragpraph (d) was introduced which stipulates that audiovisual media service providers cannot broadcast: "images from funerals, except for news and/or reports from news programmes, shows or documentary films. The exception being state funerals."

After Article 46, a new Article 46 (1) was introduced: "Reports in any form about the improvement and/or cure of diseases, regardless of the methods used, can only be made by presenting the opinion of a specialist doctor regarding the initial and final medical diagnoses."

A new paragraph (2) was introduced in Article 70. Paragraph (1) stipulates that within the news and debate programmes that address issues of public interest regarding ethnic, religious or sexual minorities, the point of view of the abovementioned minorities will be presented. The new paragraph (2) provisions that only the religious promotion of religious cults recognised by the state is allowed.

Paragraph (3) of Article 89 was modified as follows: "With the exception of advertising spots related to bets that can be broadcast also during live sports broadcasts, audiovisual programmes containing gambling, as well as advertising spots promoting such games, are subject to the conditions of the protection of minors provided in chapter II ‘Classification of programs for the protection of minors’ of title II ‘Protection of minors’".

Paragraph 5 of Article 120, with regard to food advertising, was modified as follows: 

"Within the advertising blocks promoting food, broadcasters must alternatively broadcast one of the following warning messages: 

a) «For a healthy life, eat fruits and vegetables daily.»;

b) «For a healthy life, exercise at least 30 minutes every day.»;

c) "For a healthy life, drink at least 2 litres of water daily.";

d) «For a healthy life, observe the main meals of the day.»;

e) «For your health, avoid excess salt, sugar and fat.»;

f) «The exclusive breastfeeding of a baby during the first 6 months is essential for a healthy life.»;

g) «For the emotional health of your child, spend as much time as possible with him/her.»;

h) "For good oral health, brush your teeth twice a day.»;

i) «Alcohol consumption up to the age of 18 seriously damages brain development.»;

j) «To promote equal opportunities, children with disabilities have the right to learn in any school.»"