Transnistria refugees and former combatants request annulment of decision on municipal audiovisual reorganization

The National Union of Independence War Veterans (UNVRI) requests the annulment of the decision voted by the Municipal Council of Chisinau (CMC) on the reorganization of the stations “Antena C” and “Euro TV Chisinau”, stated the chairman of the organization Eduard Maican, on Tuesday, December 19. The combatants and also refugees from Transnistria, who joined them, request that a commission is created in order to analyze the situation and propose democratic means for the reorganization of the 2 institutions. UNVRI, Transnistria Refugees Association (ART) together with “Transnistria” Culture and Law Association condemn the decision of CMC on the method of reorganization and considers that it has been made without taking into consideration the interests of the audience and of the institutions’ employees, the cited source stated. Anatol Bazgu, head of ART, stated that the refugees from Transnistria and combatants join the actions taken by the members of the 2 stations and encouraged Moldovan journalist to manifest solidarity with their colleagues from “Antena C” and “Euro TV Chisinau”. On December 14, the Municipal Council decided to announce an investment contest for selling “Euro TV” and “Antena C” and dismissed the two directors; and on the second day new directors were appointed. The staffs have announced a sit-down strike and civil disobedience against the decision on dismissing the 2 directors. On Saturday, December 16 the transmission of “Antena C” was stopped, setting forth technical failure. Later in the evening, the police evacuated the employees of the stations because they received a phone call announcing the presence of a bomb in the building. Although nothing was found, the policemen sealed the doors of the radio station.