Twenty years ago, the first news program “Mesager” was the synonym of freedom, truth and reliable information, said the former editorial staff of the newscast. On the anniversary marked on July 1, former reporters, editors and presenters spoke about the most important aspects of the profession of journalist in the 1990s in the Good Evening talk show on the public TV channel Moldova 1, Info-Prim Neo reports. Efim Josan, the news program's first editor-in-chief, said he was lucky to work with assiduous persons who were always busy doing something. “We then got rid of a dictatorial regime and needed fresh air. Now, 20 years later, we are like musketeers who grew older, but remained young in heart,” Efim Josan said. Political analyst and journalist Petru Bogatu said “Mesager” was then synonymous with freedom because it was created basing on the values of national freedom. “This news program brought about the change. It contributed to the freedom of thought and provided only truthful information,” he said. Valeriu Saharneanu, the head of the Journalists' Union who was the deputy editor-in-chief of “Mesager” 20 years ago, said the then editorial staff had a protesting spirit and did away with the standard patterns. About 1 million people came together at the Great National Assembly Square in 1989. “All the channels in the world covered that event and only Chisinau did not. We then staged a strike against the administration and things returned to normal,” Valeriu Saharneanu said, adding that the skilled personnel started to be filtered out after 1994. MP Corina Fusu, former employee of Moldova 1, said the anniversary event is important as it brought together the persons who started to produce it. “Our struggle was meaningful as it paved the way for changes. This TV channel and the national radio station must become one of the best in the country,” she said. Alina Radu, the head of “Ziarul de Garda: publication, said the current generation should know what the journalists did and how courageously they fought with the police. Former presenter of “Mesager” Larisa Manole addressed the young people, saying nobody is born presenter. Effort, will and wish to furnish only the truth is needed, she stressed. From July 1, “Mesager” has a new slogan: “Together from the beginning!”. Since July 5, Moldova 1 will broadcast three morning news bulletins, at 6am, 7.00am and 8.00 am. The newscast “Mesager” started to be aired on July 1, 1990.