Reorganisation of Antena C and Euro TV is carried out according to the new Broadcasting Code – President

President Vladimir Voronin considers that the reorganisation of “Antena C” and Euro TV” is carried out according to the new Broadcasting Code. The Code stipulates the reorganisation of the local budget-funded broadcasting institutions, the head of state said at a news conference where media representatives were selectively invited, leaving aside the two local media institutions. In a press release of the Presidency is included “the beforehand answer to the possible questions” prepared by Voronin for the press conference. As regards the situation of “Euro TV” and “Antena C”, the president said: “I think you came to the wrong address. The Code includes such decisions. The Municipal Council adopted this decision. The law is the same for everyone. And this is the most important”. The Chisinau Municipal Council decided to announce an investment contest to sell “Euro TV” and “Antena C” and dismissed the directors of the two stations on December 14, 2006. New directors were appointed next day. The staffs announced strike and civil disobedience. The broadcasting of “Antena C” radio was suspended. The authorities set forth technical reasons and then evacuated the employees, claiming a bomb alert. Although no bomb was found, the doors of the radio station were sealed. Several political factions, representatives of the civil society and international bodies condemned the way the authorities carried out the reorganisation process of the two media institutions. Some experts consider that this a partition of the media market between the communists and Christian-Democrats and that this is one of the conditions of the Christian-Democrats for voting for President Vladimir Voronin on April 4.