The preliminary hearing in the suit filed by the Teleradio Moldova Company (TRM) and its president, Valentin Todercan, against two members of TRM’s Supervisory Board (SB) took place Tuesday, Jan 22, at the Rascani District Court. TRM and Valentin Todercan took action in court against the SB members Veaceslav Ionita and Igor Munteanu for co-authoring a study titled “Teleradio Absurdistan or the Stolen Reform”, as well as the Institute for Development and Social Initiative Viitorul and Vocea Basarabiei Radio for publishing it. Eugen Chersanov, attorney for Valentin Todercan has told reporters his client seeks remedy for false and injurious information published in the study. “Todercan was accused of committing some serious offences, and since he is not a common person but a public figure, it is impermissible for his reputation”, he said. For his part, Veaceslav Ionita stated that the situation where two SB members are sued for just doing their job is absurd. “This is an attempt of the TRM management to intimidate the Supervisory Board. The pursued goal is to discourage other members from criticising the administration after the suit is won”, considers Ionita. The plaintiffs seek retractions and 2.6 million lei for damages. Among others, the study “Teleradio Absurdistan or the Stolen Reform” alleges the new TRM management is just pretending to implement the reform, choosing stagnation instead. The course proposed by the current administration is to remain financially subordinated to the Government, to promote an expensive and extensive development, and keep being among the ruling party’s “political clientele”. At the same time, the Supervisory Board fails to assert itself as an authority that serves the public interest, remaining under political control, the study adds. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for February 27.