International Community regrets the lack of progress in the field of media reform

International community regrets the lack of progress in the field of Moldovan press reform and calls on the Moldovan authorities to move from words to deeds and to implement real reforms in the media sector without further delay. In a joint statement of the foreign embassies from Moldova and of several international organizations, launched on the occasion of the Press Freedom Days is presented that the progress registered by the Moldovan authorities in the last year regarding the reformation of the media field is insufficient. “The government’s encouraging first steps to make the draft broadcasting law public and to invite public discussion of it must now be followed by decisive actions to reform the sector” is presented in the declaration. The signatories to this declaration are especially concerned about the lack of progress in transforming Teleradio Moldova into a truly independent, unbiased Public Service Broadcaster. Also, they are concerned about various obstacles that the independent press faces, including impediments in gaining access to information and unfair competition with media outlets directly or indirectly supported by state authorities. According to the quoted source “A free, independent and pluralistic media is crucial for the development of a functioning democracy and, thus, for Moldova’s European integration prospects.” The signatories to this declaration express their firm expectation that the recommendations put forth by the OSCE and Council of Europe on the draft broadcasting code will be fully reflected in the final version of the law and that the reformed broadcasting legislation will be implemented in the spirit of common European values. The document is signed by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of Hungary, Republic of Lithuania, Republic of Poland, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Moldova, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and OSCE Mission to Moldova