Romania Urged to Drop ‘Happy News’ Law
Posted by evdomada on July 9, 2008
VIENNA (Reuters)
Europe’s leading human rights watchdog, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), urged Romania’s president yesterday to veto draft legislation that would require radio and television stations to air more “happy” news. Under a bill which still needs the approval of President Traian Basescu, broadcasters will have to give equal time to “positive” and “negative” issues in their newscasts. The bill’s sponsors say too much gloomy news is making people ill. “Prescribing, or even defining good versus bad news, is a severe political intrusion into editorial freedom,” said Miklos Haraszti, media freedoms monitor for the 56-nation OSCE.
Yianni Karistani said
I must be reading this wrong. Your article is stating that OSCE is urging the Romamian pres to Veto the airing of good news when the bill’s sponsors say too much gloomy news makes ppl ill. Why would they then want to Veto it?
S
evdomada said
No you read it correctly. The veto is being requested because you cant predetermine the mix of of good and bad news. Under the new bill you must “balance” the two … but how can that be possible?? The news is the news, good or bad, and “balancing” it is in effect being seen as a form of censorship by the OSCE … makes sense now Yianni?