In the period from late 2006 to early 2007 the local authorities have repeatedly limited the access to information of journalists from independent newspapers, shows the Synthesis Report themed “Independence of newspapers and news agencies part of the Independent Press Association (IPA)”, launched by this organisation. Dumitru Lazur, IPA project coordinator, told Thursday a news conference held at Info-Prim Neo Agency that in IPA’s opinion the antidemocratic conduct of public functionaries is determined by the upcoming general local elections and by the local authorities’ intention to conceal, at the end of their term-in-office, information that could damage their reputation in front of electors. There was also found that the pressures on independent newspapers are more evident in the regions where government-friendly newspapers, created by raion councils and funded from public money, are also printed. The report revealed data regarding limited access to information, cases of intimidating journalists, lawsuits initiated against IPA member newspapers in May 2006 - May 2007. The report will be integrally published in a few days. During the same conference, held on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, which is marked on May 3 worldwide, the director of the Independent Journalism Centre Corina Cepoi stated that the situation in this field in Moldova has worsened over the past few years and this is because of pressures, often directly exerted by the government on mass-media, as well as due to the fact that the transformation of the Company “Teleradio Moldova” into a public institution has failed. Cepoi made reference to the annual report “World Press Freedom”, published by “Freedom House”, which includes Moldova among the states rated Not Free. According to the report, Moldova ranks the 144-th among the 195 states that are included in the study. The report reveals that the government in Moldova often violates the press freedoms guaranteed by law.