Young LibDems show 'green' to free media and 'red' to government

The young arm of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova assembled on Wednesday outside the Parliaments' building to stage what they called a flash-mob, themed “Green to Free Media, Red to the Government”, Info-Prim Neo reports. A group of about 20 young demonstrators with green scarfs protested in silence for several minutes, holding paper bullhorns and posters reading: “Free Press – Democracy in Moldova”, “Take Your Reddish Paws off of PRO TV” {(editor's note: the word 'reddish' was used to suggest the so-called 'red-orange coalition' formed by the Communists, traditionally associated with red, and the Christian-Democratic People's Party, which is associated with the color orange)}, “Moldova without Vorosca” {(e.n.: a combination of the names Voronin and Rosca, the leaders of the Communists and Christian Democrats, respectively)}, “Down with Communist Censorship”, “Free Press – Free People”, and “Eu Rosca TV – a Lie Factory”, ({e.n. meant to suggest that the real owner of Eu TV channel is Rosca}), etc. Afterwards, another group approached them from behind, wearing red and orange gloves, and covered the mouths, ears and eyes of the first group. The demonstrators explained they wanted to show that the government has been violating the freedom of expression, the freedom of the press and the right to be correctly informed. “The ruling red-orange coalition attempts to control and suppress the entire media. At the same time the government-controlled mass media has become a propaganda tool”, George Mocanu, the president of the LibDem Youth, told reporters. He referred in particular to the intimidation employed against the journalists at PRO TV and in general against the free press. Neghina Azizov, vice-president of the organization, said the young LibDems chose to protest in front of the Parliament's building because the recent attacks on the free press have been launched precisely in Parliament. “Deputy Speaker Iurie Rosca made vicious statements about PRO TV, which we consider unfounded. His latest statements at the Moldovan Economy Academy were also immoral attacks”, she said. Following a meeting with the students from the Moldovan Economy Academy and the State University, the Christian-Democratic leader stated again that shadow politicians and the Russian intelligence service were pulling the strings of PRO TV, but failed to produce any sound evidence. PRO TV dismissed the allegations as “totally delusive and unfounded”. The channel condemned the way Rosca spoke to a female PRO TV reporter, using words like “wipe your snot, sweety” and “soon there'll be no place for you to prostitute yourself”. PRO TV also expressed its confusion as to Rosca's statements that the channel would be closed down “very soon”.