OSCE media freedom representative urges Romanian President to veto bill on mandatory percentage of 'good news'

VIENNA, 8 July 2008 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, asked Romanian President Traian Basescu today to veto a proposed amendment to the broadcasting law that would oblige television and radio stations to ensure that half their news coverage consists of "positive news".

"Prescribing, or even defining good versus bad news is a severe political intrusion into editorial freedom, and is fully out of touch with the rights of the audiences as well," said Haraszti.

"I do not see how ordering editors to carry 50 % good news could 'help improve the general climate and give people a balanced view of everyday life', as argued by the sponsors of the amendment," he added. "It is the diversity of unrestricted news reporting that makes a well-informed public, and this rule would only diminish such pluralism."

"I ask the President to stop this draft from becoming law, and to ensure that freedom of expression enjoys governmental protection in the country."

The draft law, initiated by Senator Gheorghe Funar of the Greater Romania Party and National Liberal Party Deputy Ioan Ghise, is currently awaiting presidential signature. The Senate (upper house) unanimously adopted the amendment on 25 June, despite that the Chamber of Deputies (lower house) and the Senate's human rights commission had both rejected the amendment. The National Audiovisual Council of Romania and the Union of Professional Journalists also oppose the proposed law.