Some media outlets have given up covering the election campaign because they would have to present points of view that are not to the owners’ liking, says Independent Press Association (API) director Petru Macovei. The journalist explained the reasons behind this decision in an interview with Realitatea.
Macovei believes the reasons include stricter legislation to combat disinformation and political control over certain media outlets.
“And previously, many broadcasters have given up. There are plausible reasons. Legislation has become tougher, and I welcome that. Providing objective information about the electoral process is essential. Some TV stations gave up, and others, which remain controlled by politicians, realized that if they reflected the election campaign, they would be obliged to reflect other points of view than the ones the owners sympathize with, so they deliberately chose not to inform,” Macovei said.
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Referring to the debates, the head of the API said that the quality of the debates is more significant than the number of TV stations that will organize them. Macovei also acknowledges the possibility that more candidates may withdraw from the debates.
“The fact that only 10 TV stations will host debates is not necessarily an issue. What matters is the quality of the debates and whether candidates face tough questions. In previous years, these debates often seemed staged”, concluded Macovei.
The presidential elections and referendum in which citizens will answer whether they support Moldova’s European course will be on October 20, 2024. According to information as of September 6, 2024, there are 12 potential candidates for the post of head of state whose initiative groups are collecting signatures, one candidate who has submitted his subscription lists to the Central Electoral Commission, and one electoral contestant already registered.