NIT channel accuses government of attempt to close it, government describes accusations as groundless

The television channel NIT accuses the government of attempt to close it. The Government describes such accusations as unfounded as this is a matter of contractual relations, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a statement, the TV channel NIT says that it was informed by the Government that the lease for the company's head office located at 53 Hancesti Street will not be extended and that the offices where all the technical equipment and working places of the employees are situated must be freed by December 31, 2009, 6 PM. The company says that it has honestly paid the rent for these offices during 12 years, agreeing to pay a higher rent and pedantically liquidating the debts, without having any complaints from the lessor. “And now, we are told to go out. This means, de facto, a ban on broadcasting. Obviously, this is done with the purpose of intimidating the “uncomfortable” TV channel, which speaks about the serious problems faced by the Moldovan society,” the statement says. “We are sure that the repressive decision of the Government is directly connected with the civil position of the TV channel not to be loyal to the new political situation. All these measures perfectly fit the developments during the last few months: starting with public declarations by the leaders of the Alliance for European Integration, including Acting President Mihai Ghimpu, against our channel, and finally – the severe sanctions and rigid supervision by the watchdog, the Broadcasting Coronation Council.” The channel says they will fight without any compromises for their social and professional rights. For its part, the Government of Moldova expressed its surprise at how the TV channel NIT and certain political forces present the situation created after the expiration of the lease between the General Buildings Division of the Government's Apparatus (currently the State Chancellery) and the joint company “Noile Idei Televizate”. The executive expressed its position in a press release. According to the press release, the lease to rent 2,720.9 square meters expire on December 31, 2009. The General Buildings Division did not extend the contract with “Noile Idei Televizate” as those offices will be used by the central public administration. Thus, the General Buildings Division informed the television channel NIT that it has to free the rooms, in accordance with the contract. “The assertions that NIT will remain on the streets are groundless as it earlier privatized 1,732.2 square meters in the same building for 3,637 lei per square meter. As the contract was not extended, NIT was to solve its rental problems beforehand,” the Government said. The executive also said that it does not intend to hinder the channel in its work and will give it a reasonable period of time to solve the rental problems.