Moldova's Media Law Changes Spark Council of Europe Condemnation

Council of Europe Condemns Moldova Media Law Changes Chisinau, Moldova – Recent amendments to Moldova's Code on Audiovisual Media Services have sparked controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the Council of Europe. The Council's concerns center on the potential for these changes to be used to exert political pressure on media outlets. The amendments grant the Audiovisual Council significantly increased powers, including the ability to impose substantial fines. Experts fear this could lead to censorship and stifle independent journalism. "Such delegation of powers to a regulatory body raises concerns about media independence and the boundaries between regulation and editorial freedom," stated a Council of Europe legal opinion. The opinion also criticized the lack of clear appeal mechanisms, increasing the risk of disproportionate or politically motivated actions against media. The video from Canal 5 news provides visual evidence of the concerns. It shows news reports and interviews related to the amendments, highlighting the potential for misuse of the new powers. The Council of Europe's recommendations for improvement underscore the need for Moldova to align its media laws with European standards.