The Bucharest Court of Appeal decided on Wednesday to suspend the decision of the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) to revoke the broadcasting license of Realitatea Plus channel.
The ruling allows the television station to continue its activity until the resolution of the ongoing trial at the Court of Appeal. The court’s decision can be challenged by the CNA within 5 days, according to Antena3.
On Wednesday, the CNA rejected the request for a reconsideration of the prior complaint filed by the company PHG MEDIA-INVEST S.R.L., the owner of Realitatea Plus license.
The proposal to revoke the decision to withdraw the license was rejected with four votes against and three in favor.
Defense arguments: ignored jurisprudence and major social impact
Lawyer Ioan Georgescu requested the annulment of the sanction, arguing that it was adopted by ignoring a clear interpretation given by the High Court of Cassation and Justice in a similar case.
He warned that maintaining the measure has significant consequences, including for over 300 employees of the channel.
"The request for reconsideration shows that over 300 employees are carrying out their activities (…) Maintaining the measure not only affects the company but also has significant social, economic, and even fiscal effects," the lawyer stated.
He argued that the request aims at the correct application of the law, in line with the supreme court's interpretation.
CNA: the law requires sanctions, there is no "hunt"
CNA member Vasile Bănescu dismissed allegations of a targeted action against the channel and emphasized that the institution is obliged to enforce the law. "I don't want it to appear, as unfortunately happened in yesterday's and today's discussions, that CNA is hunting, that CNA aims to destroy a television station. It is not true (...). No one here has hunted anyone, but there is a law that constrains us," he said.
Bănescu explained that the sanction was determined by the non-payment of fines within the legal six-month deadline, considering that the obligations concerned the period 2023–2024.
Reason for license withdrawal: unpaid fines
In the meeting on April 7, the CNA decided to withdraw the licenses for Realitatea Plus and Gold FM channel, owned by ANGUS RESOURCES S.R.L..
The measure was based on the Audiovisual Law, which provides for the withdrawal of the license if the holder fails to prove the payment of fines within six months from their imposition.
The decision sparked public reactions. Around 150 people protested Wednesday morning in front of the CNA headquarters.