Home > 2.5 Election campaign > MOLDOVA – Urgent joint opinion on the draft Law no. 263 amending the Electoral Code, the Contravention Code and the Code of Audiovisual Media Services
 
 
 
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Paragraph 47
 

The draft Law introduces a number of amendments in the Electoral Code and in the Code of Audiovisual Media Services relating to media coverage of elections. The draft revised Article 69.4 of the Electoral Code adds the words “shall not engage in electioneering in favour or against any electoral contender and/or candidate or one of the referendum options” at the end of the sentence. This prohibition, which would appear to apply also to private media, could be interpreted in such a manner that it could prevent media outlets from any critical analysis of electoral platforms or referendum issues. The Venice Commission and ODIHR recommend that any restrictions on freedom of expression be circumscribed precisely and follow international standards in this area.