NGO leader goes on hunger strike as Broadcasting Regulator denies to grant him radio frequency

The president of the non-governmental organization “Info-Mingir” from the village of Mingir, Hancesti district, Vitalie Selaru, has gone on hunger strike protesting against the way in which the Broadcasting Coordinating Council (BCC) distributed radio frequencies on May 7. Vitalie Selaru has told Info-Prim Neo his association, jointly with the village mayor office and council, applied a notification with the Informational Development Ministry to grant them a radio frequency. It was established to be 107.6 MHz. The BCC members ignored the notification of the NGO at their sitting of May 7 and gave the frequency to another radio station -- Radio 10 – a new station which got three more frequencies at the same sitting. Vitalie Selaru, maintains the BCC members voted incorrectly an the file submitted by Info-Minigir was not considered at the sitting. Besides, according to the protester, his association was not allowed to bring in more reasons to demonstrate that Mingir needed a local radio station. Vitalie Selaru maintains the BCC members were not attentive at his speech. According to the president of the Info-Mingir NGO, the hunger strike is the only solution to draw attention to the “severe violations committed by the BCC members”. Asked by Info-Prim Neo, the BCC deputy president, Valeriu Frumusachi, says all the competitors had enough time to speak before the BCC members. All the files were analyzed and there is no possibility for them to be neglected. The BCC deputy chairman opines Vitalie Selaru could opt for other protest methods, including by suing the decision. According to Frumusachi, it would be fair if Selaru, had discussed the matter with the BCC members. On May 7, the BCC granted licenses for 16 radio frequencies. On Thursday, May 8, the BCC is to grant licenses for the TV channels set up for contest in March.