Home > 1.3.1.1.2 Accessibility to the media by participants in the election > MOLDOVA - Joint Opinion on the Draft Laws on Amending and Completing Certain Legislative Acts (Electoral System for the Election of the Parliament)
 
 
 
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Paragraph 68
 

The draft foresees amendments in Article 641 of the Electoral Code, according to which national and public broadcasters will no longer be required to provide free airtime and to organise debates for candidates in majoritarian elections. It leaves majoritarian candidates without any means to access to such airtime or debates. Parliamentary elections are of wide national interest and have important consequences on state governance. Free and equal or equitable access to media by all contestants is a cornerstone of democratic elections. Debates in regional media do not sufficiently allow all viewpoints of political parties (whose representatives might be the candidates in small constituencies) to be discussed in the same way as in the case of debates in national media and free access to advertising. It is recommended to review the envisaged amendments to Article 641.