Yearbook of Bibliology and Press Studies

Summary

Business activities in the distribution of radio and television program mes are subject to concessions.
The basic and most important act of law which regulates the licensing rules is the Broadcasting Act of
December 29 1992. This Act stipulates that the right to distribute radio and television programmes is
vested in public radio and television entities as well as persons granted a licence to pursue such activi-
ties according to formal procedure, the subject of which is to check the ability of the applicant to meet
the ensuing obligations. The concession results from state monopoly over frequency management, and
at the same time constitutes an instrument for the protection of public interest in electronic media.The
licence contributes to the maintenance of order between broadcasters and guarantees clear rules, for the
emission of radio and television program mes, which is very important,especially in the situation of
multiple broadcasters often competing for the same customers.Besides, it allows the state to indirectly
control the contents of the transmissions and programmes,preferring to disseminate those that serve the
objectives of radio and television defined in the media statute. The legal basis of acquiring the right to
run a concessioned business activity is an adminitrative decision, which is taken by the Chairman of the
national Broadcasting Council, upon the basis of the national Broadcasting Council Act, for a period
of ten years.