Gagauz cable TV operators complain about pressure exerted by BCC member

Gagauzia will continue to issue licenses to cable TV operators, the region's Governor Mihail Formuzal told a news conference on Wednesday after Corneliu Mihalache, a member of the Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC), said that this is the exclusive right of the Council, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The licenses are issued in strict compliance with the local legislation adopted by the People's Assembly. The decision is taken by a body composed of representatives of the local power and specialists in retransmission of TV programs. I will not force the cable operators to go to the BCC to obtain a retransmission license if it can be obtained in Gagauzia,” Mihail Formuzal said. The Governor considers that the regional cable TV operators should be able to obtain retransmission licenses from district councils. It's not right for an operator that wants to retransmit several channels to come from Briceni or Comrat to obtain an authorization, said Mihail Formuzal. Commenting on Corneliu Mihalache's accusations concerning informational separatism in Gagauzia, Mihail Formuzal said that if Mihalache has evidence that the administration of the autonomous units resorted to separatist actions, he should present them to the competent bodies. Mihail Formuzal also said that he received complaints from Gagauz cable TV operators that say Corneliu Mihalache pressurizes them into broadcasting the private TV channel NIT. “The cable TV operators decide by themselves what channels to retransmit. I don't know if Corneliu Mihalache is paid money or nor, but I can say with certitude that he lobbies for this TV channel. The BCC should take attitude and penalize him,” he stated.