OSCE Mission to Moldova is concerned about recent developments in Moldova's broadcasting landscape
The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Louis O'Neill, said on Monday he was concerned about recent negative developments in Moldova's broadcasting landscape.
"The Broadcasting Code adopted by the Parliament in 2006 provided the country with an excellent opportunity for real progress in creating a free and vibrant broadcasting landscape. It is disappointing to see that this chance may be lost due to missteps in the way the new legislation is being implemented", Ambassador O'Neill said.
These comments come as a reaction to the recent developments in the process of reorganization of the Chisinau-based broadcasting institutions - Radio Antena C and Euro TV - into private companies.
In December 2006, the OSCE Mission and ten diplomatic missions accredited in Moldova issued a joint statement urging all those involved in the reorganization of Antena C and Euro TV to find a solution that would ensure the continued functioning of both broadcasters, drawing on their experienced staffs. The signatories further stressed that the reorganization should neither reduce pluralism in the country's media landscape nor deprive its citizens of access to comprehensive and impartial information and public services.
"The immediate reduction in news and information programming at Antena C, and the change in its broadcasting schedule following privatization, as well as the decision by its new owner to dismiss the station's deputy directors and to drastically reduce the number of journalists show a disregard for these recommendations", Ambassador O'Neill said.
The Head of Mission also expressed concern about the pace of reforms at Moldova's national public broadcaster, Teleradio Moldova. "Teleradio Moldova has made almost no progress towards becoming a truly independent public service broadcaster since its formal transformation in August 2004", O'Neill said. "The newly elected Supervisory Board should lose no more time in initiating fundamental and visible changes in the way the broadcaster reflects public and political life in the country".
On 14 December 2006, the councilors representing Communist Party and Christian Democratic Popular Party factions decided on alienating stations "Antena C" and "Euro TV" in an investment tender and replace their administration. On 2 January 2007, the employees of the two media institutions took an action against Chisinau Municipal Council and former interim mayor, Vasile Ursu, for having decided to alienate the stations and dismiss their directors. // BASA-Press
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