The draft law will help ensure public control over freedom of speech in the media and equal access to the media for different political forces.
The draft law will also give the Public Council the right to involve citizens, public organisations and media representatives in discussions on issues concerning freedom of speech in the media, fulfilment of citizens’ right to the lawful dissemination of information, ensuring guarantees for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and also to draw up recommendations on these issues.
In order to establish the Public Council’s powers to exercise public control over the media, an amendment is also proposed by which the Public Council will have the right to make reports on violations of freedom of speech in the media.
Depending on the conclusions they contain, these reports will be sent to the registration, supervision or law enforcements agencies or the media outlets that allowed the violation to take place, or will be sent directly to the founders or directors of the media outlet concerned and also to other relevant state agencies or officials.