A draft bill regarding broadcasting has been introduced in parliament and is set to be reviewed by committees soon.
The proposed amendments stipulate that broadcasters must deliver news and fact-based information with the utmost accuracy and impartiality. They are required to take reasonable measures to prevent the dissemination of disinformation or misleading content.
Any factual errors must be corrected transparently and promptly, utilizing appropriate platforms as soon as the broadcaster becomes aware of the mistake. The source must be clearly indicated when presenting statistical data.
Additionally, the amendments prohibit the use of staged news or scenarios during news broadcasts. If such elements are included in public-political or other programs, they must be clearly labelled as staged or simulated content. Any reconstruction of documentary or actual facts must be explicitly identified, and the information source should be disclosed, or it should be stated if the source is anonymous.
Any stakeholder whose interests, reputation, or image may be harmed by the broadcaster’s use of false information has the right to file a complaint. Individuals have 10 days from the initial statement to demand a timely correction or rebuttal in a similar format. If the broadcaster declines to respond, the decision can be appealed to the regulatory commission or court.
The amended Law on Broadcasting asserts that broadcasters must adhere to fairness and impartiality when presenting news. In news bulletins, they will be required to differentiate between facts and commentary.
The draft bill also prohibits political officials or party members from serving as presenters, interviewers, or journalists in news bulletins. Broadcasters must strive to balance political debates in all programs and series.
If a program format requires a balance to be maintained throughout its cycle, the audience must be informed on the first day of the program’s launch. The law mandates that all broadcasters refrain from expressing their attitudes or viewpoints when covering political or other conflict-related information.
Furthermore, the amendments state that it is unacceptable to express support for or opposition to any political party, public group, religious organization, or interest group. The audience must be notified at the beginning of any program that presents an Author Program, which should adequately showcase all alternative viewpoints. Distortion of facts and misrepresentation of differing opinions must be avoided.
The draft bill requires broadcasters to treat all program participants respectfully and fairly. Individuals targeted by allegations or accusations made during a program must be allowed a timely and appropriate response. Inviting only one interested party to discuss a topic may not be used as a tool to attack a group that is not participating. Calls received during live broadcasts should be selected based on the principle of fairness, and one-sided viewpoints must be avoided to prevent manipulation of public opinion.
