Analysis of the Adequacy of Legislative Regulation of the Broadcasting Market and Practice of its Application

The project aimed at improving the legislative framework related to the television and radio. It contributed to the development and formation of a regulatory environment, ensuring citizens’ rights to get unbiased and true information through broadcasting media.

The project encompassed the following activities:

• Detailed analysis of the current situation in the TV market in terms of ensuring the level of freedom of speech and economic competition in the context of the sectoral legislation in particular and the commercial one in general, as well as maintaining legality in the TV and radio broadcasting.

• Expert survey among managers of TV and radio channels, administrative and creative staff of production houses, leaders of NGOs and members of the PSRC to reveal basic legislative and other obstacles hindering the development of the market, shortcomings of the TV and radio production and problems faced by broadcasters.

• Monitoring the TV broadcasting in order to reveal compliance of the broadcasted production with the legislative requirements, particularly ones related to advertising, volume of national production, language, specific content (erotic films, violence). Objectivity of news and political and social programs will also be in the focus.

• Based on the results of the analysis, conclusions and recommendations were developed, which can be used for forecasting the development of the TV and radio market for the coming five years. The recommendations may make the basis for developing the conception on regulation of the TV and radio broadcasting, particularly satellite, cable and network broadcasting.

Actually, there is no legal regulation of the mentioned and what exists is so contradictory, that may result in unforeseen consequences.