In Moldova, some media will be able to take advantage of tax incentives, and the legal framework for print and online media will be improved.
This is provided for in the draft National Program for the Development of the Mass Media for 2023–2026 and the Action Plan for its implementation, developed by a group of deputies. It contains 3 main areas: improving the legal framework, stimulating the development of the media as specific economic agents and strengthening their financial and economic stability; increasing professionalism in the industry. Among the measures proposed in the program are the provision of customs privileges for the import of installations and equipment for the media industry, as well as the development of amendments to the Tax Code in order to provide benefits to certain media: broadcasting messages of public interest for free; new media producing only local content during the first 3 years of operation; local and foreign investors developing media with 100% content produced in Moldova; independent media producers, print media distributors, etc. It is also proposed to provide local and regional media with access to state assistance and develop a legal framework for the creation of a national media support system, to encourage coverage of topics and issues in areas of public importance. It is planned to take measures to prevent the emergence of dominant positions in the formation of public opinion and encourage fair competition in the media, as well as in the field of commercial advertising. The draft program provides for the improvement of the legal framework in the field of the media, the implementation of a set of measures to improve the education of media workers, the updating of educational programs in the media, the strengthening of the activities of the Press Council, etc. The draft national program lists a set of problems that exist in the industry: an insufficient legal framework for regulating the media sphere, frequent changes in legislation without examination and discussion, shortcomings in the implementation of legislation due to the lack of monitoring at the government level and parliamentary control over compliance with legislation in the field of MASS MEDIA. The authors of the bill state the poor management of the media sphere, the uneven geographical distribution of the media, the low economic stability of the media, and the absence of real media pluralism. At the same time, there are serious problems in the field of academic training of media workers: the professional territory is “occupied” by several generations of professionals trained in different historical periods, having different journalistic values and beliefs, and a new set of professional knowledge is difficult to spread in a professional environment; educational institutions are too conservative, codes of professional ethics for journalists are ineffective, and media professional associations are ineffective. The bill is scheduled to be considered in Parliament by the end of May.// 15.05.2023 — InfoMarket
