Mecanismele de activitate și provocările practice ale funcției de ombudsman în audiovizualul public [Articol]

Abstract

The present paper analyzes the role of the media ombudsman in public broadcasting, highlighting its growing importance in the context of disinformation and informational polarization. Originating from the Scandinavian model and adapted to journalism in the 1960s–1970s, the ombudsman acts as an independent mediator between the newsroom, management, and the public, handling complaints, promoting journalistic ethics, and improving content quality. At the European level, recent studies emphasize responsibilities such as examining complaints within 30 days and submitting periodic reports to administrative or managerial boards. In the Republic of Moldova, within the “Teleradio-Moldova” Company (TRM), the institution of the Ombudsman was established in 2013 and regulated by the Audiovisual Media Services Code (2018). The scientific approach also highlights key principles such as objectivity, transparency, and accessibility. Reports of the Ombudsman Service of “Teleradio-Moldova” indicate monitoring activities, a limited number of complaints, and recommendations aimed at increasing visibility, media education, and responsible journalism. The TRM Ombudsman represents an essential instrument of selfregulation, but it requires proactive consolidation in order to become a pillar of journalistic excellence aligned with European standards.