CoE notes with concern withdrawal of license of NIT

The Council of Europe noted with concern the situation regarding the broadcasting license of NIT channel, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a statement of Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland on the withdrawal of the license of the television broadcaster NIT. “The Council of Europe has always upheld the principle of media pluralism in its Member States. We firmly believe that free media are an important part of any functioning democratic society. We are aware that NIT is in process of appealing the decision and that several cases are still pending in the courts with regard to last year's sanctions against NIT,” reads the statement. “We hope that the judicial process will be carried out in line with standards established by the European Convention on Human Rights and its Article 10 in particular. We also note the reaction of other international organizations present in Chisinau. The CoE will continue to closely follow this case.” The Broadcasting Coordination Council of Moldova withdrew the license of NIT on April 5. The channel appealed the Council’s decision to court.