Media Monitoring in the Campaign for New Local Elections on 20 May 2018

Home , Ion Cebanu, Oazu Nantoi, Silvia Radu (politician)

Report no. 3 5–11 May 2018

This report is part of the project "Media in Support for Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability in Moldova" (MEDIA-M), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Internews in Moldova, aimed at promoting the development of independent and professional media and at creating a media sector that is more resilient to political and economic pressure. The content of this material is the responsibility of the Independent Journalism Center and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or of the United States government.

1. General data

Purpose and objectives of the project: Monitor and inform the public about media behavior during the election campaign and the access of the candidates to the media. The aim of monitoring is to analyze reporting trends that may affect the performance of media outlets and compromise their ability to provide accurate, unbiased and pluralistic information to the public.

Monitoring period: 20 April–19 May 2018

Criteria for selecting the media outlets to be monitored:

• audience/impact—national, regional; • media type—audiovisual; • form of ownership—public, private; • broadcasting language—Romanian, Russian.

Media outlets and programs monitored:

 Moldova 1 at 19:00: public TV station, national coverage, broadcasts in Romanian and Russian;  Prime TV at 19:00: private TV station, national coverage, broadcasts in Romanian and Russian;  Canal 2 at 19:00: private TV station, national coverage, broadcasts in Romanian;  Publika TV online version: private TV station, national coverage, broadcasts in Romanian and Russian;  Jurnal TV at 19.00: private TV station, regional coverage, broadcasts in Romanian;  NTV Moldova at 19.00: private TV station, regional coverage, broadcasts in Romanian and Russian;  RTR Moldova at 19.30: private TV station, regional coverage, broadcasts in Russian and Romanian;  TV 8 at 19.00: private TV station, regional coverage, broadcasts in Romanian and Russian;  Pro TV at 20.00: private TV station, regional coverage, broadcasts in Romanian;  Accent TV at 20.00: private TV station, regional coverage; broadcasts in Romanian and Russian.

2. Methodological framework

The full content of the main daily newscasts on each TV station was monitored, and any items with a direct or an indirect electoral character were analyzed by content and context to determine whether they were favorable or unfavorable to a party or political entity. In addition, the items were analyzed according to the following criteria.

Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship. According to the Journalist's Code of Ethics, news must be impartial and objective and not favor certain parties/groups/persons to the detriment of others. The presence of discriminatory elements in reports and news items is a primary criterion for subjective reporting. News screening and a minimal analysis of background and context also contribute to presenting the interests of certain actors and not of the public at large.

Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion. In order to be fair and balanced, news items must present the perspectives of all parties concerned, especially when it comes to controversial subjects, and must treat opponents equally. In addition, the media must

provide access to a variety of opinions to help viewers create their own opinions about what has happened.

Language and images used. Deliberate exaggerations and obscene language such as pejoratives or labeling as well as images manipulated so that certain parties appear in a negative light raise serious questions about compliance with ethical and professional standards. The ethical behavior of journalists is most often questioned when images display aspects that do not correspond to reality, when they are simulated, and also when news stories are illustrated with images unrelated to the text.

Acronyms used in the report:

Action and Solidarity Party – PAS Dignity and Truth Party – PPDA Democratic Party – PD Democracy At Home Party – DA Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova – PLDM Liberal Party of Moldova – PL Our Party – PN National Liberal Party – PNL People’s Party – PP Russian Slavic Party – PRS Socialists Party of Moldova – PSRM Progressive Society Party – PSP National Unity Party – PUN

2. Monitoring data

Moldova 1

Involvement in the election campaign

From 5 to 11 May, public TV station Moldova 1 broadcast 29 news items on the election campaign in its main news program of the day “Mesager.” Six of them covered subjects about the organization of the elections—accreditation of observers, Central Election Commission (CEC) warning to the candidates not to use administrative resources in the campaign, civil society appeals to the candidates, survey results, monitoring by NGOs etc. The remaining 23 stories covered the campaign activities of Chișinău–based candidates. Most of those who had campaign events duirng this period appeared on “Mesager.”

Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship

In general, Moldova 1 preferred not to report on the campaign information/promises of the candidates and not to ask how feasible they were or whether they contravened statements and promises made earlier by the candidates or by their parties. In other words, the journalists did not apply a critical approach limiting themselves instead to transmitting candidates’ messages in brief. The items on election promises were in a positive-neutral tone for all the candidates: Ion Ceban, PSRM about his plans in relation to doctors, social workers, and persons with disabilities; Andrei Năstase, PPDA/PAS/PLDM about the pollution of the Nistru River, real estate schemes, and doctors; Valeriu Munteanu, PL about continuing the projects started by Dorin Chirtoacă and so on.

The direct activities of the candidates and statements made in their support usually were covered in short items of circa one minute that included both text and an extract from the

politician’s speech or from the statements made by their supporters during campaign events. The station also broadcast some news items based on the candidates’ pictures or Facebook posts, such as what independent candidate Silvia Radu did on 9 May or what Andrei Năstase said in a meeting with medical students. Reporters produced longer and more complex stories on controversial subjects.

Candidates Andrei Năstase and Ion Ceban appeared the most frequently in Moldova 1 news. Independent candidate Silvia Radu was covered in two stories; PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate Andrei Năstase in five; PSRM candidate Ion Ceban in five; PL candidate Valeriu Munteanu in two; PUN candidate Constantin Codreanu in two; PNL candidate Alexandra Can in one; and Șor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova in one (except for the ones with controversial content). The only candidate who appeared in a negative context was Reghina Apostolova, taking into account the allegations brought against her by Valeriu Munteanu (use of money from outside and promotion through concerts) and by PUN leader Anatol Șalaru (use of money from outside).

The station did not cover candidates for Chișinău mayor Vasile Costiuc DA, Alexandru Roșco Moldova Our House Party, Victor Strătilă PVEM, Maxim Brăila PP, or Alexandru Mâțu Russian- Slavic Party at all in its news items which may be interpreted as this station’s lack of interest in these candidates due to their low rankings in opinion polls or to their reduced campaign activities.

In covering the candidates, the public TV station had an impartial approach and did not display political partisanship.

Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion

In all five stories on conflicts—Valeriu Munteanu’s request to have Reghina Apostolova removed from the campaign and to declare the Russian singer Iosif Cobzon as persona non- grata; the request of PUN leader Anatol Șalaru to have Reghina Apostolova excluded from the campaign; Andrei Năstase’s notifications to a number of authorities; CEC approval of Anatol Șalaru’s request; Reghina Apostolova’s removal from the campaign—the reporters observed a balance of sources and presented the reactions of all parties involved.

Language and videos

No improper expressions or labeling were found in the language on campaign items. The videos used corresponded to the text; no editing tricks were used.

Prime TV Involvement in the election campaign On 5 April, General Media Grup Corp. S.R.L., the holder of the broadcast license for station Prime TV, notified the Broadcast Coordinating Council (BCC) that the TV station, “…will not cover the campaign for the new location elections of mayors in some localities on 20 May 2018.” In its statement registered by the BCC on 6 April, the broadcaster also announced that it would not organize campaign debates and would not broadcast free or paid election publicity. Between 5 and 11 April 2018, there was a reduction in the number of relevant news items compared with the first two weeks of the election campaign. The station broadcast 16 items in total with direct or indirect election content in its daily newscasts. The news concerned the allegations launched by some candidates against others and the exclusion of one candidate from the election. Prime TV did not follow and did not report on the campaign events and election platforms of the candidates, except for those of independent candidate Silvia Radu.

We noted that many of the news items with election content were similar to the ones aired by Canal 2 with minor differences in the expressions/wording used. Prime TV also broadcast four items with indirect election content that favored candidate Silvia Radu, e.g., the ones about the lighting in the park in Râșcani District, about the repair of streets in Chișinău, and about the removal of kiosks in Chișinău. Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship The majority of the items with Silvia Radu as protagonist were biased because information was selected to present her advantages over the other candidates. Some news stories covered Silvia Radu’s activities and statements related to her campaign while others presented her as the favorite, subtly promoting the idea of her victory in the elections. There was also coverage of her family life as well as of items with indirect election content about work in the mayor’s office that referred to the period when she was acting mayor, and about her participation in May 9 events. Examples of biased coverage can be found in the news story on 6 May “11 measures for Chișinău,” (her title for her election program) that stated that she, “…prepared her city management program depending on Chişinău residents’ wishes, but also that while she was acting mayor she started a number of programs, including the ‘Great Cleaning’ of the city and the rehabilitation of roads.” In a story on 5 May, “Silvia Radu, in the vineyards. The Radu couple invests in a vineyard and produces wine,” viewers found details about the life of the Radu couple and were informed that Silvia Radu and her husband, “…invest in farming because they love their country.” The same item told us that Silvia Radu, “…[can be compared with] Russian president Vladimir Putin or Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher.” On 6 May, the story about the repair of streets in the capital said, “The repair of streets started at the direction of capital’s ex-mayor Silvia Radu.” The reporter added, “Some city residents support her candidature in the local elections anticipated this month,” with a short vox in which citizens explained why Silvia Radu should be elected. Similarly, the item about the removal of kiosks from the streets of Chișinău mentioned that, “The kiosks started to be demolished at the direction of Silvia Radu.” On 7 May, the title of an item about an opinion survey told us that, “Two candidates for mayor of the capital mayor may be dueling in the second round.” The lead, however, removed any trace of uncertainty when the conditional may be was replaced by the affirmative will fight: “The socialist Ion Ceban and independent candidate Silvia Radu will fight for the seat of capital mayor in the second round of local elections anticipated on 20 May.” The author included the following detail favoring Silvia Radu in the story: “Survey authors say that nearly 12 percent of the persons surveyed want an independent woman in the municipality’s leadership, one who does not make empty promises.” The news item about the second opinion poll on 11 May is in the same style as the one on 7 May.

On 8 May, the station broadcast the story “They don’t do their jobs well! Silvia Radu threatens city hall officers with dismissal” which informed us that, “The former leader of the capital checked today as a citizen how certain things she started when she was leading the city are proceeding. (…) The independent candidate also said that if she were mayor, they would be thrown out of their offices and stressed that she would solve this when she returned to the mayor’s office.”

Impartiality and objectivity were missing in the subjects that referred to PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate Andrei Năstase. In the item on 5 May entitled “Andrei Năstase ignores questions; The PPDA leader avoids speaking about taxes,” the reporter does not separate facts from opinions, resorts to sources that are hard to check using phrases like “journalists wrote,” and included old information about Nastase’s asset declarations although newer data had been published.

Bias also appeared in the item on 11 May about the press conference of honorary PUN president Traian Băsescu. The item neglected to inform the public that the purpose of the conference was to support PUN candidate Constantin Codreanu and instead included only information that put Andrei Năstase in a bad light. Entitled “Băsescu replies to Năstase: It is childish to ask parties to withdraw from the election,” the story also included Traian Băsescu’s forecast that Andrei Năstase would lose the battle in the second round no matter with whom he competed. In conclusion, between 5 and 11 May, Prime TV heavily favored independent candidate Silvia Radu who appeared positively in 11 of the 16 items with direct or indirect electoral content. The items presented her election program (6 May), her qualities as a wine producer (5 May), her contributions to the capital’s street repairs (7 May), the installation of lights in Râșcani Park which favored her indirectly (8 May), her plans to dismiss officers who did not do a good job in the mayor’s office in her absence (8 May), her denunciation of the derogatory campaigns against her by some politicians (8 May), and her participation in 9 May events (9 May). Both stories about the results of the two opinion polls were also favorable to Silvia Radu (7 and 11 May).

Andrei Năstase (PPDA/PAS/PLDM) was disfavored in three out of four items in which he was mentioned or quoted: in the one about the poll on 11 May, the story about the press conference of honorary PUN president Traian Băsescu, and the one about how he avoided speaking about his properties. Reghina Apostolova of the Șor Party was the protagonist in three news stories: about the allegations of her funding from outside the country and her exclusion from the campaign that presented her in an unfavorable light (twice) and in a neutral one (once), and also in a news story about her participation in 9 May events which presented her in a positive context.

The other candidates mentioned enjoyed relatively neutral coverage in the items that concerned them: Constantin Codreanu PUN got three mentions in neutral contexts; Ion Ceban PSRM received four in neutral, positive and negative contexts; and Valeriu Munteanu PL had two, one negative and one neutral. All the candidates for Bălți mayor were mentioned in the two stories about election poll results. Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion A lack of pluralism was noted in most of the items as most were derived from just one source. In addition, the four controversial items did not always present the replies of those accused or criticized. For instance, the item on 11 May about Traian Băsescu’s statements about Năstase’s election chances was unbalanced. The news story from the press conference of PUN president Anatol Șalaru who launched allegations against the Șor Party candidate was partially balanced by including a short reply from party leader Ilan Șor, but the same story also alleged that PSRM candidate Ion Ceban was funded from outside the country; his opinion was not requested.

Language and videos During this reporting period, Prime TV used relatively balanced language without labels or offensive expressions about the candidates. The story on 5 May about the press conference of Andrei Năstase did, however, resort to repeating an image and a sound as an editing trick to put him in a negative light. Canal 2 Involvement in the election campaign Telestar Media S.R.L., the holder of the broadcast license for Canal 2, notified the BCC that the station, “…would not cover the campaign for the new local elections of mayors in some

localities on 20 May 2018.” In the statement registered on 6 April by the BCC, this broadcaster also announced that it would not organize debates and would not broadcast free or paid election publicity. Nevertheless, according to monitoring data, between 5 and 11 May Canal 2 covered the campaign for the new local elections on a daily basis, broadcasting 14 items with direct or indirect electoral content in its main newscast “Reporter” at 19.00. Most of them (11) referred to statements and events of independent candidate for Chisinau mayor Silvia Radu. The station also informed viewers about the exclusion of one candidate from the campaign by the CEC, about election surveys with forecasts for rounds 1 and 2, and other items. Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship Some of the campaign stories on Canal 2 were identical to those broadcast by Prime TV with only minor differences in terms of structure or wording. In some cases, this station even left intact such expressions as … “to our reporter’s question” … which raises questions about the reporter’s employer, i.e., after assigning a license to Canal 2, this station should not have the same reporters as Prime TV. The angle of reporting on Canal 2 was similar to the one on Prime as it highlighted only the achievements of independent candidate Silvia Radu. The partial and subjective nature of the items is clear from the information selected as it is meant to present this candidate in an exclusively positive light. For example, the report on 5 May about Silvia Radu’s vineyards presents details about the daily life of the candidate and her husband, at the same time noting that she should be compared, “…to Russian president Vladimir Putin or to Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher.” The item on 7 May on election survey results said: “The independent candidate for the office of capital mayor Silvia Radu and Socialist Ion Ceban will compete in the second round of the new local elections on 20 May in Chişinău.” Such a presentation of survey data is subjective as the results of opinion polls should not be presented as facts because they provide data only about the electorate’s options and not about the final election results. In addition to survey figures, after presenting the percentage Silvia Radu might get in the election, the item referred to the representatives of the institution that conducted the research: “Many, nearly 12 percent, mentioned they wanted to see an independent woman in the municipal leadership, a woman who does not make empty promises, one who better understands the problems of women,” and, “the distance between Ion Cebanu and Silvia Radu has already become smaller. Mrs. Radu has organized an election campaign and a very positivist campaign message.” The story on 8 May “Silvia Radu threatens city hall officers who are not doing their jobs with dismissal” referred to a post on social media in which the candidate expressed her dissatisfaction with the fact that when she left city hall, some officers did not want to work as they should, so she promised to fire some of them once she came back. The story on 7 May, “The culmination of repairs on the capital’s streets. An area of 40,000 square meters has been filled” at the end mentions that, “When she was the capital’s acting mayor Silvia Radu announced she would fill all the holes in the city’s streets including in residential building compounds.” In addition to information about the subjects themselves, some items selected and included background information taken from opinion polls that promoted Silvia Radu’s chances of making it to the second round: “Silvia Radu: I will fight until the end. The independent candidate for capital mayor denounces the derogatory campaigns against her” (8 May). In the story “Silvia Radu: Professional, knowledgeable persons who know how to solve the problems of the capital’s residents should work in city hall” on 9 May, the independent candidate spoke about the need for, “knowledgeable people, not parties, to solve the problems of citizens.”

The news item with indirect electoral content “After three decades in the dark, Râşcani Park on Braniștii Street is lit up for real “on 9 May included a Silvia Radu quote: “I am very glad that city hall’s staff continue the projects started by me; people have only to gain.” On 10 May, an item entitled “Silvia Radu’s supporters invest in the capital and its suburbs. A business operator has arranged a playground for the pupils of Toader Bubuiog School” spoke about a business operator’s decision to get involved, “…in the campaign ‘Do something good for Chişinău’ of independent candidate Silvia Radu.” Another news item entitled “Survey: the independent candidate for the office of capital mayor Silvia Radu would win in the second round of the local elections” on 11 May, identified itself with a story on Prime and also included in its lead the statement that Ion Ceban and Silvia Radu would win the first round and then presented a survey scenario on her chances of winning in the second. In contrast, Andrei Năstase PPDA/PAS/PLDM, was covered tendentiously with information selected in such a way as to disfavor him. On 5 May, Canal 2 broadcast an item from a Năstase’s press conference but omitted information about the proceedings focusing instead on the fact that he had ignored a journalist’s question about his property. In conclusion, during the reporting period, Canal 2 continued to heavily favor independent candidate Silvia Radu who enjoyed a great deal of coverage as well as a positive context in the 11 news items in which she was a protagonist. The other candidates covered in relevant news items on Canal 2 appeared in various contexts: negative for Andrei Năstase (three items); neutral for Valeriu Munteanu (mentioned twice); neutral in one item, negative in two and positive in one for Reghina Apostolova; positive in three items and negative in one for Ion Ceban; and neutral for Constantin Codreanu (mentioned twice). All the candidates for Bălți mayor were mentioned in the two items about the results of the survey. Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion The station mainly covered the actions of candidate Silvia Radu failing to grant equal access to all candidates in its newscasts.

The three relevant controversial items broadcast by Canal 2 included the opinions of all the parties concerned but did not secure a balance of sources. For example, the controversial story about the allegations of PUN leader Anatol Șalaru against Șor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova also contained the reply of party leader Ilan Șor; however, there was a lack of balance from the point of view of the space allocated to each party in the conflict, Șor being disadvantaged (8 May). Similarly, the item about Andrei Năstase in which he is accused of avoiding a question about his property did not include updated information about his asset declarations. Language and videos Canal 2 used relatively balanced language about the candidates, but the news item on 5 May, on the press conference of Andrei Năstase used the same procedure (or the same news item?) as Prime TV did, i.e., a repetition of videos and sound in order to put Năstase in a negative light.

Publika TV Involvement in the election campaign On 5 April, General Media Grup Corp. S.R.L., the holder of the broadcast license for Publika TV announced to the BCC that the station, “…would not cover the campaign for the new local

elections of mayors in some localities on 20 May 2018.” Nonetheless, between 5 and 11 May Publika TV broadcast 15 items with direct or indirect electoral content. Their topics referred to the priorities of some candidates (5–6–7 May), the exclusion of a candidate (10–11 May), and the results of public opinion polls (11 May). Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship Most of the news broadcast by Publika TV about the candidates or the campaign for local elections was biased, directly promoting and favoring Silvia Radu, the independent candidate for Mayor of Chișinău, and directly disfavoring Andrei Năstase, the candidate of PPDA/PAS/PLDM. Eight of the 15 news items directly favored Silvia Radu, and four of them put Andrei Năstase in a completely negative light. One story disfavored Valeriu Munteanu, the PL candidate. The two items with and about Reghina Apostolova, the Șor Party candidate, were neutral, tackling the topic of her exclusion from the elections for Chișinău mayor. In addition, Publika TV broadcast a news item about the launching of Alexandra Can in the campaign as PNL candidate for Chișinău mayor. In most of its news items, Publika TV allowed facts to mix with opinions for favored candidate Silvia Radu, presenting her in a praiseworthy and positive context while openly showing antipathy to the others, either directly labeling and attacking them (Andrei Năstase, Valeriu Munteanu). Silvia Radu was the subject of the news on Publika TV nearly daily during the period monitored (except for 5 May). For example, in a news item on 6 May, Publika TV noted: “The wish of the people is law for Silvia Radu. She has had many discussions with people outside the capital and their wishes are a priority.” In the item on 8 May, she is presented as a manager capable of fighting the indifference of those who provide public services: “Silvia Radu, candidate for capital mayor, was in the field today as an ordinary citizen to verify road repairs. During her visit, the former mayor became angry at the workers who were doing their work in a sloppy way...” In the news story on 9 May, Radu is presented as the only candidate who can fight corruption: “Silvia Radu says that she was surprised to hear that some streets in the capital had been repaired because some officials’ relatives lived there.” In addition, she is presented as the candidate who is supported by most of the municipality’s residents, implicitly by business operators who showed openness to her initiatives: “Silvia Radu’s supporters invest in the suburbs. A playground was arranged in the yard of Bubuieci School.” In the news items broadcast on 11 May, Silvia Radu is presented as the candidate with the best chance of being elected Chișinău mayor: “The independent candidate for the capital mayor, Silvia Radu, and Socialist Ion Ceban will compete in the second round of local elections”; “Pollsters say that Silvia Radu has managed to win the electorate’s trust because she’s running independently.” On the other hand, the joint candidate of PPDA/PAS/PLDM was disfavored in all four news items in which he appeared as a protagonist. In case of this candidate, Publika TV resorted to labeling, irony, or direct allegations and criticisms. Publika TV headlined one news item on 5 May: “Năstase keeps mum,” continuing in the text of the item, “After a reporter asked him inconvenient questions, the DA leader gave the floor to another journalist and his party colleague Alexandru Slusari had plenty of fun with the situation.” In an item on 8 May, Publika TV headlines were: “Shock and history for Năstase,” continuing in the text with, “The disastrous trend was prefigured as far back as the end of April when Alexandru Machedon, the campaign chief of staff of the PPDA leader, published enhanced figures on Facebook to put his boss at an advantage, according to politics.md. The PPDA leader was frantic and obliged Machedon to delete the figures confirming the disastrous situation for the candidate supported by Maia Sandu.” In a story on 11 May, the headline was, “Băsescu destroys Năstase: It is childish to request the withdrawal of candidates from the elections,” and the text then continued “...Earlier, PDA leader Andrei Năstase, the godson of the convicted fugitive Victor Ţopa, called on the candidates of the pro-European parties to withdraw from the elections in his favor.” On the same day, Publika TV in another item again resorted to labeling: “...and if Silvia Radu competed with the godson of the convicted criminal oligarch Țopa, Andrei Năstase, she would

win decisively. The independent candidate would collect 59 percent while the candidate of the binomial PPDA-PAS would get 41 percent.” PL candidate Valeriu Munteanu was concerned in just one news item in which he was disfavored and presented in a negative context: the item on 7 May about the launching of Alexandra Can, the PNL candidate in the campaign. In it, Ms Can criticized some of the promises made during the campaign by her opponents, especially those of Valeriu Munteanu. Publika TV did not broadcast his reply. Reghina Apostolova was the subject of three reports presented in a neutral context: 8 May “Şalaru: A candidate for Chişinău mayor funds her campaign with money from Russia”; 10 May “The Șor Party candidate rejects the allegations of PUN leader claiming she was funding her campaign for Chișinău mayor with money from Russia”; 11 May “The Şor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova has been withdrawn from the election.” All of them referred either to the PUN initiative to exclude this candidate from the campaign or to the fact that Apostolova rejected the allegations, or to the announcement made by the CEC that she had been excluded. PSRM candidate Ion Ceban was mentioned in two news items broadcast by Publika TV on 11 May that referred to the opinion poll: “Silvia Radu and Ion Ceban, the favorites for capital mayor. What survey data show”; “Survey: Silvia Radu would win capital mayor’s seat in the second round of the local election.” Ion Ceban was presented in a neutral context in both cases. Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion Publika TV broadcast five controversial news items, but in only one of them was the party concerned granted the right to reply: 8 May “Şalaru: A candidate for Chişinău funds her campaign with money from Russia.” In the other four items, Publika TV did not broadcast the reply/opinion of the party concerned and/or directly accused in the item. Three directly concerned Andrei Năstase, the joint candidate of PPDA/PAS/PLDM: 5 May “NĂSTASE KEEPS MUM. The DA leader refused to say whether he had paid taxes on money received between 2009 and 2013”; 8 May “Shock and hysteria for Năstase! Survey shows he would get a very low percentage in the local elections”; and 11 May “Băsescu destroys Năstase: It is childish to request the withdrawal of candidates from the elections.” It also failed to broadcast the reply of PL candidate Valeriu Munteanu in the news story on 7 May in which Alexandra Can criticized some of his electoral initiatives. Language and videos Publika TV used positive language for Silvia Radu but pejorative comments and labeling for others like Andrei Năstase who was referred to as “...the godson of the convicted fugitive Victor Ţopa” (11 May); “Andrei Năstase, the candidate of the binomial PPDA-PAS” (11 May 2018); “godson of the convicted criminal oligarch Țopa, Andrei Năstase”. On the other hand, Silvia Radu was presented as, “...capital’s ex-acting mayor” (10 May 2018); or “...the independent candidate for capital mayor” (8 May 2018). Jurnal TV Involvement in the election campaign Between 5 and 11 May in its main newscast of the day at 19.00, Jurnal TV broadcast 19 news items and reports that directly or indirectly concerned the campaign. Fifteen news items and reports were broadcast under the rubrics “2018 Chișinău Elections” (12 items) and “2018 Bălți Elections” (3 news items), while the other six items that concerned the candidates registered in the elections were broadcast outside these rubrics. The subjects of the news broadcast under the election rubrics referred to the programs and priorities of the candidates, entertainment events for them, a candidate’s exclusion from the elections, and the organization of electoral debates among the candidates for Bălți mayor.

Jurnal TV also published news stories and reports with electoral content outside the section dedicated to the 2018 new local elections. They referred to (i) appeals filed with the CEC about the signatures collected for registration in the elections by independent candidate Silvia Radu (5 May); (ii) the protest organized by the representatives of PPDA, PAS and PLDM in front of Parliament in which they demanded “...a free press, independent justice, correct elections” (8 May); (iii) the accusation that PDM broadcast and multiplied fake news items about Andrei Năstase, the joint candidate of PPDA/PAS/PLDM (9 May); (iv) the press conference of political analyst Oazu Nantoi (10 May); and (v) one item based on an investigative report in Ziarul de Gardă about the property of Ion Ceban, PSRM candidate (11 May). Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship All the items on Jurnal TV under its election rubric were neutral and included basic information, for the most part about the priorities of the candidates. Each candidate covered enjoyed video inserts with their direct statements. Under the election rubric, four news items were about Andrei Năstase; four were about Ion Ceban; two were about the Șor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova; and one was about the activities of Valeriu Munteanu, Silvia Radu, and Alexandra Can. In the campaign for Bălți mayor, Arina Spătaru, the PPDA candidate, was the subject of two news items broadcast by Jurnal TV under the 2018 Bălți Elections rubric. The one on 5 May was about a football game, and the one on 10 May was a report on the election debate organized by public radio station Radio Moldova that was also attended by candidates for Bălți mayor Alexandr Usatîi (PSRM), Vasile Bolea (PAS) and Sergiu Burlacu (PUN). The PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate for Chișinău mayor and the PPDA candidate for Bălți mayor were always first under the rubrics which may indicate that Jurnal TV favored them. In the news outside the election rubric that covered electoral topics and/or the candidates’ activities, Jurnal TV disfavored independent candidate Silvia Radu in two items. On 7 May in the item “Meeting with scandal at CEC” about challenging the signatures she filed at CEC for admission to the elections, Jurnal TV used a mixture of facts and opinions: “Meeting to remember at CEC. The head of the institution Alina Russu was confused in her own declarations when the time came to debate the allegations against the registration of Silvia Radu as candidate for Chişinău mayor.” PSRM candidate Ion Ceban was also presented in a negative context in an election news item outside the rubric. He, like Silvia Radu, was not granted the right to reply/opinion, but he was also concerned in an item on 9 May. In “The fireworks on the night of 8 May that disturbed the capital’s residents,” Jurnal TV noted that “...the PSRM candidate for capital mayor and Igor Dodon were also present at the event.” Even though he was barely mentioned, Ion Ceban was somehow presented in a negative context due to the item’s emphasis and topic. In addition, Jurnal TV published the item on 11 May “The Ceban family, with complex transactions,” based on information about the investigation of Ion Ceban’s assets pulished by Ziarul de Gardă. Jurnal TV reporters allowed for a mixture of facts and opinions in the news item “Ion Ceban, Socialists’ candidate for Chişinău mayor, lives well on European or American money.” In contrast, Andrei Năstase was presented in a positive context in the news outside the electoral rubric. One of the news items on 8 May was headlined, “They want European-type institutions... The representatives of PPDA, PAS and PLDM protested before Parliament... They demanded a free press, independent justice, correct elections,” and afterwards Andrei Năstase was directly interviewed and introduced as, “the president of the DA Platform.” On 9 May, “PDM accused of fake news,” Jurnal TV mentioned that “PDM allegedly was responsible for the fake news spread against the only candidate of the anti-oligarchic forces for Chișinău mayor, Andrei Năstase,” thus making it clear that only this candidate would fight corruption and the oligarchic system. Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion

The controversial items broadcast from 5 to 11 May by Jurnal TV did not always include the opinions of those concerned, accused or presented in a negative context. The news items and/or reports that presented Silvia Radu and Ion Ceban in a negative context did not include their opinions; however, in some cases, Jurnal TV mentioned that “...those concerned could not be reached for a reply” or “...those concerned have not commented yet.” For example, the item broadcast on 10 May after political analyst Oazu Nantoi noted “...the political tandem Silvia Radu-Ion Ceban have orders from their political masters Vladimir Plahotniuc and Igor Dodon to create a joint front against candidate Andrei Năstase...,” Jurnal TV said “...those concerned could not be reached for a reply.” Language and videos Jurnal TV did not use language or videos in its reports with electoral content that did not comply with ethical norms and principles. RTR Moldova

Involvement in the election campaign

Private TV station RTR Moldova aired 24 items with direct or indirect electoral content in its main newscasts at 20:00 during this monitoring period. Two of them referred to the elections in Bălți and the rest to those in Chișinău. The newscast on 9 May did not include any items about the local elections. Relevant items directly concerned PSRM candidate Ion Ceban five times; PL candidate Valeriu Munteanu three times; PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate Andrei Năstase three times; PUN candidate Constantin Codreanu twice; independent candidate Silvia Radu twice; Șor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova three times (one of which was a studio interview from the series of the station’s interviews with each candidate for Chișinău mayor); Our House Moldova Party candidate Alexandru Roșco once; the candidate of People’s Party Maxim Brăila once; Democracy at Home Party candidate Vasile Costiuc once; and PNL candidate Alexandra Can once. Reghina Apostolova also appeared indirectly in two items: one in which Valeriu Munteanu requested her removal from the campaign, and the second one about a party event in Taraclia. Candidates Alexandru Mâțu (Russian-Slavic Party) and Victor Strătilă (Green Ecologist Party) were not covered in RTR newscasts.

Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship

The items were grouped under a special rubric “2018 New Local Elections.” In general, the reporters did not display a critical attitude about the candidates, did not check the feasibility of their promises at least in those cases when it was possible, and did not add background information that would have helped the viewer realize the relevance of their promises. The journalists instead confined themselves to conveying the candidates’ messages.

Numerically, the socialists’ candidate Ion Ceban was favored by RTR Moldova. Five newscasts had items about his promises, and a sixth mentioned Ceban in passing when named by Silvia Radu as one of her main opponents in addition to Andrei Năstase. All the news items about Ceban had videos from the events covered while some of the news about the other candidates was based on pictures or Facebook posts, e.g., the news item about Constantin Codreanu in Sângera (7 May); the item about Andrei Năstase visiting medical students; and the item about Valeriu Munteanu requesting the removal of the Șor Party candidate from the elections.

In reporting on Ion Ceban, the reporters displayed a slight bias: “But the next candidate further understands the pressing problems of social life. Stopping doctors’ exodus abroad. It is another priority task of the Socialists’ candidate.” “Ion Ceban did not forget about the medical students either. He will set up a special stipend for them. The PSRM candidate for mayor believes that measures for solving the problems of the healthcare system must be taken immediately or

doctors will not have anyone to treat in the near future either in the capital or in the rest of the country” (7 May).

The news about the removal of Șor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova from the roster was also slightly biased. The court decision that ruled her ineligible was covered in general, but the report did not mention the reasons for the decision and the fact that funding parties from abroad (the reason for her exclusion) is forbidden. In the text the reporter instead said, “According to party leader Ilan Șor, answers were given today to the main questions: if roads would be built in Chișinău; if mothers’ allowances would be paid; if social pharmacies would be opened; and if the mayor’s office would again be led by a politician.”

Regarding Valeriu Munteanu, in the news item on 7 May on the PL candidate’s request to exclude the Șor Party and its candidate from the elections for Chișinău mayor because she allegedly was involving people from outside the country in her campaign, one could notice a slight note of irony and a mixture of facts and opinions: “And again with requests to exclude and to forbid candidate Valeriu Munteanu…”

In addition to the items under the “2018 New Local Elections” rubric, the newscasts included a series of items about Șor Party activities in the districts or about llan Șor’s work as mayor in Orhei. Taking into account that Șor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova appeared in billboards beside Ilan and that one of her campaign messages was: “We could in Orhei, so will be able to in Chișinău, too,” these items aimed to form a positive attitude towards the party and its candidate. For example, in the news item on 7 May about an event organized by Ilan Șor in Taraclia the reporter says, “The program presented by Ilan Șor is supported by an increasing number of citizens. They are certain that the successfully implemented projects in Orhei will become realities not only in the town of Taraclia but in all the localities of Moldova.” Another item broadcast as part of the same newscast that presented projects considered successful in Orhei again suggested that this party could do the same thing in Chișinău too through its candidate.

One must also note that RTR Moldova produced news about some candidates even when they did not organize events. For example, on 11 May it aired three items on the newsroom’s initiative based on candidates’ statements made for other media: Andrei Năstase on a TV station and Vasile Costiuc and Alexandru Roșco on radio. This could represent the newsroom’s attempt to secure balanced campaign coverage so as not to disadvantage candidates who do not organize campaign events every day.

Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion

This station broadcast two controversial news items during this monitoring period. Both of them concerned Reghina Apostolova: Valeriu Munteanu requesting her removal and that of her party from the roster and her removal. In the first, the item was balanced as the newsroom also conveyed the reaction of the party concerned. In the second one, both Ilan Șor and his party’s candidate stated, “Today people not only do not love us, they are afraid of us” and that “Today’s decision is simply illegal (bezpredel in Romanian)”. The entire story was presented from just one perspective—that of the party in the conflict—presenting Reghina Apostolova and her party as victims of the system and persons inconvenient for the other candidates. The reporters did not mention the others who had requested her removal—PUN leader Anatol Șalaru and the CEC—or their arguments.

Language and videos

In its language, RTR Moldova did not use elements that would not comply with the Journalist’s Code of Ethics. As for videos, the People’s Party candidate Maxim Brăila was slightly neglected. The only item concerning him was on 10 May about his projects to reorganize the

Central Market. Only the reporter’s text was aired while videos of a number of stalls in the market were projected. For 2-3 seconds at end of the spot, the video showed the candidate. No editing tricks or distortions of reality were found in the election news broadcast by RTR Moldova.

NTV Moldova Involvement in the election campaign During the monitoring period, private TV station NTV Moldova broadcast 13 items with electoral content during its main newscasts under the special rubric “2018 Campaign for New Local Elections.” In some cases, this TV station made references to several candidates in one item. Broadcasts concerned some candidates’ platforms, the results of opinion polls in Chișinău and Bălți, mutual allegations brought by the candidates, and the message of a non-government organization to all the candidates registered. Most of the items broadcast referred to the elections in Chișinău, while four items reported on candidates for Bălți mayor. Of the candidates registered, Ion Ceban (PSRM) had most of the direct or indirect appearances. He was also directly concerned in four items and indirectly in another three. The other candidates covered by NTV Moldova were Alexandr Usatîi (PSRM for Bălți mayor once directly and once indirectly), Silvia Radu (independent candidate five indirect appearances), Valeriu Munteanu (PL two direct appearances), Andrei Năstase (PPPDA/PAS/PLDM two indirect mentions), Alexandra Can (PNL one direct appearance), Constantin Codreanu (PUN one indirect appearance) and Reghina Apostolova (Șor Party two indirect appearances). Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship NTV Moldova breached the principle of impartiality and objectivity in presenting most of its items with electoral content with obvious political partisanship in favor of the PSRM candidates for mayors of Chișinău and Bălți. The Socialist candidate for Mayor of Chișinău enjoyed the largest amount of time in direct appearances in the newscasts, always in a positive context (7). Most of the items concerned his platform with presentations of many details thereof (for instance, “Better conditions for doctors” on 7 May; “Support for the needy” on 8 May, “Accessible dwellings for the youth” on 10 May, and “Salary increases for social workers” on 11 May). Ion Ceban and his colleague Alexandr Usatîi running for mayor of Bălți were also favored in the text of the item entitled “The Socialists, favorites in the elections on 20 May” aired on 7 May. The presentation of the results of a survey that allegedly placed the socialist candidates at the top of citizens’ preferences was followed by the sentence, “People defended their choices by the fact that these candidates are well prepared, have concrete ideas for modernization, do not make empty promises, and are patriots, disciplined and decisive” although none of the study’s authors made such claims. Ceban and Usatîi further appeared in two relevant items outside the election rubric. In the first, both candidates appear in the videos of a report on May Day (on the newscast on 6 May), but without having a direct role in the news item. The other item was aired on 9 May. In it both candidates appear in the videos of the 9 May demonstrations and activities and are presented as municipal councilors from PSRM. Independent candidate Silvia Radu was disfavored in all five of her indirect appearances. On 7 May, her name appeared in a group of items with electoral content (“Radu accused of fraud”), and related to this she is twice the target of other candidates’ allegations. In another group of election items aired on 8 May, this candidate’s name appeared twice in the context of allegations by her campaign colleagues with her reply presented in just one case. In the item entitled “Conflict with MP’s involvement” aired on 11 May outside the election rubric, one of the protagonists was a resident unhappy with the management of the president of a joint fund cooperative who said the following: “We wrote a letter to the mayor’s office, to Mrs. Silvia Radu,

and asked for a meeting with her but we did not get an answer, and yet she wants to be mayor... ” In addition, the journalists showed subjectivity in their reports on the actions/statements made by candidate Andrei Năstase (PPPDA/PAS/PLDM). For instance, in an item broadcast on 7 May, the text says the following: “Meanwhile, the joint candidate of PPPDA and PAS Andrei Năstase has boasted today of being the only candidate fighting the real estate mafia,” and another one aired on 8 May says “Andrei Năstase continues to speak about oligarchs and mafia,” although Năstase does not use either of these words in that speech. Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion During this reporting period, seven of the news items with electoral content aired by NTV Moldova in its main newscasts had a controversial character. The station secured the balance of sources in four cases but failed to do so in three others (on 8 May in which Andrei Năstase accused Silvia Radu [and Nistor Grozavu] of real estate mismanagement; on 11 May [outside the election rubric] in which Silvia Radu was accused by a city resident of inaction; and on 11 May in which Ilan Șor was quoted as saying 1) that he would file appeals with the CEC against two candidates [Andrei Năstase and Constantin Codreanu] on grounds of breaching election legislation, defending foreign officials or being publicly supported thereby and 2) that the PUN would be funded by Romania). The opinions of the party concerned/accused were not presented in any of the cases. Language and videos The text of the election news broadcast by NTV Moldova contained connotations, subjective nuances, and emphases that in addition to not necessarily being elements of news items could also distort the facts reported or influence public opinion in one or another direction. Although it did not use labeling or offensive comments about the candidates, the biased texts and selective language used for the candidates for mayor in Chișinău and Bălți were obvious. In addition, although the station did not use video tricks to mislead information consumers, it allowed the appearance of two candidates representing the same political party in images accompanying subjects not related to the new local elections. Accent TV Involvement in the election campaign From 5 to 11 May, private, regional station Accent TV aired 14 items with electoral content under the rubric “2018 New Local Elections.” They concerned the election platforms of some candidates for Chișinău mayor, opinion poll results, and the allegations/replies of some candidates against others. Most referred to the elections in Chișinău; the item on the opinion poll mentioned several candidates for Bălți mayor. Of the candidates covered by Accent TV, Ion Ceban (PSRM) had the largest number of appearances (four) in direct items all of which referred to his election platform and combined news and reportage in presenting its details. Each item was given up to three minutes under the special rubric with the candidate making direct appearances in each case. In the other items broadcast by Accent TV, the PSRM candidate made indirect appearances in the context of the results of an opinion poll and in an item that concerned the National Unity Party (PUN) and its honorary leader Traian Băsescu. The other candidates covered in the newscasts on Accent TV were Andrei Năstase with two direct and two indirect appearances, Valeriu Munteanu with two direct appearances, Silvia Radu with one direct and two indirect appearances, Reghina Apostolova with one indirect appearance, Victor Strătilă (PVEM) with one direct appearance, Maxim Brăila (PP) at one direct appearance and Constantin Codreanu (PUN) with one indirect appearance. Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship

Accent TV breached the principle of impartiality and objectivity in most of its items with electoral content. PSRM candidate for Chișinău mayor Ion Ceban as well as the party that promoted him were favored in all the items in which they appeared directly or indirectly (6). This was notable both in the titles, e.g. “PSRM proposes housing for doctors” (7 May); “Socialist candidates are leading in the pre-election campaign” (7 May); “PSRM gives a hand to the disadvantaged” (8 May); “supporting young families – a priority for Ion Ceban” (10 May); “Ceban urges authorities to remember social sector employees (11 May), as well in their texts that in most cases combined news and elements of reportage. For example, “The authorities have completely forgot about the social workers and the issues they face in their daily work that is not at all easy. They have low salaries and working places lacking basic amenities, and as if this were not enough, they must visit those they take care of using their own money and loaded down with briefcases... PSRM candidate Ion Ceban is ready to solve these problems.... All these measures will be implemented by Ion Ceban after his victory in the local elections...” (11 May). At the same time, other candidates were disfavored by Accent TV through subjective titles and texts with that intercalated comments and/or opinions in its news items. Such treatment was used twice for Andrei Năstase (PPPDA/PAS/PLDM). The first item entitled “Although not a winner in the local elections, Năstase launches out in parliamentary elections” broadcast on 7 May related certain general statements made by Năstase in an election event. The text of the item included the following assessment by the journalists: “The candidate for city mayor decided to extend his campaign and kill two birds with one stone by entering local elections and launching a parliamentary campaign.” Another item on the same topic was broadcast in the same way on 8 May. Entitled “Has Năstase started preparations for parliamentary elections?”, the item made reference to other statements of a generalist character made by Andrei Năstase (about justice, future prosecutor general); toward the end the journalist said, “His coalition colleague Maia Sandu clarified the rather weird statements about the future leadership of Moldova… when she specified that it was not about local elections but about parliamentary ones…” PUN candidate Constantin Codreanu was disfavored in an item broadcast by Accent TV on 11 May that included another candidate; the presentation of facts violated the principle of impartiality and objectivity. In the item entitled “Băsescu: Codreanu – an ideal unionist for Chișinău,” journalists interpreted the statements of the Romanian ex-president referring to the qualities of Constantin Codreanu and stated: “Nonetheless, Băsescu did not have much to say about how good a manager Codreanu is…” and “in that context, Băsescu stressed that Ceban’s chances to become mayor were very high (Ion Ceban appears in the images), which makes him more dangerous, especially since the Socialists have real chances of gains in the parliamentary elections.” Independent candidate Silvia Radu, in her turn, was disfavored in an item aired on 10 May including in relation to another candidate. The item entitled “Former democrat urges Chișinău residents to vote for Năstase” presents Oazu Nantoi’s statements about the elections as follows: “Oazu Nantoi expressed his dissatisfaction with Silvia Radu’s work as mayor and doubted that she was an independent candidate...” PVEM candidate Victor Strătilă was also disfavored by Accent TV journalists. In the item “Strătilă intends to forbid minibuses” aired on 10 May, after presenting elements of the candidate’s platform, the journalist interjects the following comment: “The candidate did not specify who will pay for repainting the buildings in the capital and if people will be required to repaint them in the color preferred by the new city mayor.” Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion Accent TV aired two controversial items and in both either presented the opinion of the other party (7 May in which Valeriu Munteanu requests the exclusion of Reghina Apostolova from the elections also presented the Shor Party’s view), or specified that the party referred to did

not wish to comment (10 May on Oazu Nantoi’s statements of his doubt about Silvia Radu said she would not react to the allegations). At the same time, in the item aired on 8 May in which Silvia Radu, “complained to the press that she was displeased with how her opponents were unfolding their campaigns” Silvia Radu is the only source quoted without giving the floor to the other candidates apparently concerned in her allegations. Language and videos Except for the subjective, biased language noted above, Accent TV did not use any other methods that did not comply with ethical standards. It did not use labeling and/or derogatory obscene language or trick videos that could mislead the public. An item aired on 9 May that had no connection to the elections nevertheless covered the PSRM candidate for capital mayor. In an item broadcast on 11 May, the same candidate appeared in videos in the background of an item that referred to another candidate. PRO TV

Involvement in the election campaign

Between 5 and 11 May, Pro TV Chişinău broadcast 26 items with electoral content during its main newscast. The news items briefly presented the candidates’ campaign events, allegations launched by the candidates and the reactions of their opponents, the results of opinion polls and of the monitoring of media behavior in the elections, candidates’ asset statements, the decision of Chişinău District Court to exclude the Şor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova from the elections, a review of the election debates organized by Pro TV, and others.

Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship

The items with electoral content aired by Pro TV in general were impartial and objective, the tone of the presentations was neutral, facts were separated from opinions, and there was no evidence of partisanship in the reports. Pro TV continued to critically tackle the candidates’ promises, offering viewers not only basic information but also other relevant information, including about the candidates themselves, in order to help them better understand the problems discussed and the context of their debates. In the news about the launch of wireless trolleybuses on the Chişinău–Sângera route (7 May), the public was informed not only about the event as such and its organization at the peak of the election campaign but also about the fact, accidental or not, that a campaign to support independent candidate Silvia Radu took place in Sângera on the same day. On 8 May Pro TV returned to this topic broadcasting two more news items: a statement from Dorin Chirtoacă, ex-mayor of Chişinău and deputy chairman of the PL, in which he says that he started the wireless trolleybus project, and one from Deputy Mayor Ruslan Codreanu saying that the project had been approved by the municipal councilors in December 2017 and that the liberals had offered only PR on this subject for many years. In the news about the proposal to exclude Şor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova from the elections, the decision of the court of first instance and the protests organized by this party on 11 May, Pro TV mentioned that Ilan Şor had been convicted for a crime by a court of first instance.

When presenting summaries of the election debates organized by Pro TV on the previous day (newscasts of 8, 9, 10, and 11 May), the station aired the statements of all the participants, including their answers to inconvenient questions asked by the moderator. The station also followed-up on the reasons Silvia Radu and Reghina Apostolova did not participate in the debates by presenting their explanations.

The detailed news item about the asset declarations of the candidates for Chişinău mayor (6 May) presented information about all the candidates registered. The opinion survey conducted

by the Association of Sociologists and Demographers of Moldova in Chişinău and Bălţi was objectively covered by Pro TV in two distinct items in its newscast of 7 May, with a presentation of not only of the survey results but also of the reactions of the candidates in both cities who answered the station’s calls. It also provided relevant information about the expectations for the future mayor according to those surveyed.

All the candidates for Chişinău were quoted directly/indirectly and mentioned in news items, with two of them enjoying the most coverage: Silvia Radu (independent candidate) and Reghina Apostolova (Şor Party). Silvia Radu got the most coverage (seven items) in various lights, most often negative but also neutral and positive. On 5 May under the rubric “2018 New Local Elections,” Silvia Radu appeared in a neutral item in a video of her driving her family’s tractor; on 6 May, the station announced that she was the richest candidate for mayor in the item about the asset declarations of all the candidates; on 7 May, the candidate appeared in a positive context in the item about the results of the opinion poll but also in a negative context in the one about the launching of wireless trolleybuses to Sângera and her campaign in this locality. On 9 May Silvia Radu was in the news three times: twice directly in the item from her press conference where she mentioned that all the parties had joined against her and in another item in which she explained that she had not participated in the Pro TV debates due to the bad roads and also indirectly in the item about the statement of Dorin Chirtoacă and the reply of Ruslan Codreanu in connection with the wireless trolleybus initiative. Şor Party candidate Reghina Apostolova appeared in a total of five items, three of which referred to the proposal of Valeriu Munteanu (5 May) and of the PUN (10 May) to exclude her from the elections and the judgment of the court of first instance in this case (11 May). The candidate was also directly concerned in the item on 9 May about the election debates on Pro TV in which she had not participated. The news items had neutral and objective tones.

Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion

All four controversial items broadcast during the reporting period (5 May Valeriu Munteanu’s allegations and request to exclude Reghina Apostolova from the elections; 8 May Dorin Chirtoacă’s statement about being the one to start the wireless trolleybus project that someone else was taking credit for; 10 May the PUN request to exclude Reghina Apostolova from the elections; 11 May Chişinău District Court judgment in this case) were balanced, presenting the opinions of all parties concerned in the conflict either through press releases from the political parties accused or in interviews with the candidates or their representatives (lawyers).

Pro TV also made efforts to balance its coverage of all the candidates in its general items on the campaign such as the opinion survey conducted by the Association of Sociologists and Demographers in which reactions were sought from the candidates in Chişinău and Bălţi.

Language and videos

All relevant items during this monitoring period used neutral language and videos complying with ethical and professional norms.

TV 8

Involvement in the election campaign

Station TV 8 continued its active coverage of the elections with 19 items with direct or indirect electoral content included on its five newscasts during the reporting period (no news was broadcast during the weekend of 5 and 6 May). Most of the news items (14) were presented under the “2018 New Local Elections” rubric. They referred to the candidates’ campaign activities—presentations of their platforms and election promises from the events they organized; candidates’ allegations; messages published by the candidates on the occasion of

9 May; some support messages conveyed in the public space; and the results of media monitoring among others. The other five items had an indirect electoral content, including the reports on the inconvenience caused to city residents by the concerts organized by PSRM, PDM and the Şor Party (7 May, 8 May), the launching of wireless trolleybuses on the Chişinău– Sângera route (7 May), and some incidents during public activities on 9 May.

Impartiality and objectivity/political partisanship

In the majority of cases, TV 8 covered election items objectively in a neutral tone with facts separated from opinions and without elements that would reveal the station’s attitude toward one candidate or another. Nonetheless, some reports had a slightly ironic tone. The title of the report on 8 May from the press conference of independent candidate Silvia Radu included a pejorative, “She considers herself a victim!” based on the candidate’s declaration that all the parties had allegedly joined against her and that fake news concerning her was being aired. Also in the report on the election promises of Ion Ceban, PSRM candidate, about social housing for young families under the Casa mea Program (10 May), the reporter stressed that, “Ceban said families made up of young orphans would benefit from social housing; however, those houses will be built with the same money that Ceban had earlier promised at a different gathering for social housing for young doctors.”

In the reporting period, the most visibility on TV 8 was enjoyed by PSRM candidate Ion Ceban and by PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate Andrei Năstase who were concerned directly or indirectly in each news item. The context generally was neutral but was also positive for Andrei Năstase (8 May on a flash mob on Europe Day; 10 May on Oazu Nantoi’s support message). At the same time, PUN candidate Constantin Codreanu appeared in a directly or indirectly positive context in three items: 9 May on the commemoration of Romanian heroes with PUN flags appearing in the images, 10 May on the support for Constantin Codreanu from the US diaspora; and 11 May on Traian Băsescu’s support for Codreanu’s candidacy.

Fairness and balance of sources/pluralism of opinion

On 10 May, TV 8 broadcast a controversial news item about Oazu Nantoi’s address to support Andrei Năstase, the PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate, that did not fully comply with ethical standards for a balanced presentation. Oazu Nantoi stated that Silvia Radu, independent candidate, and Ion Ceban, PSRM candidate, had orders from their political masters to create a joint front against Andrei Năstase. The reporter mentioned that she had tried to get Silvia Radu’s reaction but that Ms Radu had not answered the phone and her spokesperson had promised to call back but had not done so. At the same time, Ion Ceban’s reply to the allegations against him, launched in a press conference and included in the report, were missing. The other items broadcast by TV 8 were balanced.

Language and videos

In the news items with electoral content on TV 8, the language was correct and neutral, and no manipulation of videos or editing tricks were found.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

The monitoring of 10 TV stations between 5 and 11 May 2018 showed that most behaved in a partisan manner in relation to certain candidates in the new local elections on 20 May 2018.  Public station Moldova 1 was balanced in covering the campaign, securing a pluralism of opinion without obviously favoring or disfavoring any of the candidates.  National broadcasters Prime TV, Canal 2, and Publika TV that according to declarations filed at the BCC would not cover the campaign aired a large number of

items with direct or indirect electoral content in which they favored independent candidate Silvia Radu and disfavored PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate Andrei Năstase.  Jurnal TV continued covering all the press events organized by the candidates. At the same time, it continued disfavoring independent candidate Silvia Radu and favoring PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate Andrei Năstase in its other news stories with electoral content.  NTV Moldova and Accent TV openly promoted PSRM candidates Ion Ceban for Chișinău mayor and Alexandr Usatîi for Bălți mayor at the same time disfavoring Silvia Radu, independent candidate and Andrei Năstase, PPDA/PAS/PLDM candidate.  RTR Moldova slightly favored Ion Ceban, the PSRM candidate, and Reghina Apostolova, the Șor Party candidate.  Pro TV and TV 8 secured a pluralism of opinions and multiple sources without obviously favoring or disfavoring any of the candidates.