Moldova halts rebroadcasting of Russian TV channels' news and analytical programs

CHISINAU. March 3 (Interfax) - The Moldovan government's Commission for Emergency Situations adopted a decision on Wednesday to suspend the rebroadcasting of Russian television channels' information and analytical programs in the country during the state of emergency.

"The rebroadcasting of news and analytical programs of countries that have not ratified the European Convention on Transfrontier Television [Russia has not ratified this convention] has been temporarily prohibited," the commission said in its decision.

Moldovan television stations which rebroadcast Russian TV channels' programs have been ordered to halt the rebroadcasting of all programs from countries that have not ratified the aforementioned convention. The measure, however, does not apply to feature films, short films and entertainment programs.

The commission also adopted a decision that allows the country's television and radio council to suspend the broadcasting and rebroadcasting licenses of providers and TV channels during the state of emergency.

Since the start of Russia's special operation in Ukraine, Moldovan TV channels have stopped rebroadcasting the majority of Russian TV channels' information programs. At the same time, the council has fined three Moldovan TV stations "for providing distorted coverage of the events in Ukraine" in their own information programs.

The rebroadcasting of Russian TV channels' information, analytical and military programs was banned in Moldova from 2017 to late 2020.

The Moldovan parliament has introduced a state of emergency in the country for 60 days over the situation in Ukraine.