Situation of Antena C and Euro TV is an unprecedented attack on free press - SLP

The situation created by Chisinau authorities at the radio and TV stations “Antena C”, “Euro TV Chisinau” and “Teleradio Moldova” (TRM) over the last few days is a clear example of how PCRM and President Vladimir Voronin have entirely swerved from the commitments that they had publicly assumed in front of the Parliament, nation and international community in April 2005, a statement of the Social-Liberal Party (SLP) regarding the situation of broadcaster in Moldova says, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. According to the cited source, SLP eyes worriedly the increasing offensive of the communist authorities on the public radio and TV stations. “The society in Moldova witnesses an unprecedented attack of the power on free press and freedom of expression”, says the statement. “In order to govern further on and sweep to power in 2007, the communists resort to actions meant to definitively enslave the press in Moldova. Among these actions is the so-called privatisation of municipal radio and TV stations. The way “the subordination” of journalists from the two institutions takes place reminds about the practices of the totalitarian regimes in 30’s. The blatant manner of the police mobilized by the communists “to ensure the order” at the buildings of “Euro TV” and “Antena C” outlines the power’s decision to further deviate from the rule of law”, shows a document. At the same time, SLP warns that employees of TRM are subjected to tough psychological pressure. This institution, allegedly public, is transformed into an annexe to the press service of PCRM. All news bulletins and programmes addressing society, politics, economy and culture have a single goal – promotion of communist leaders. SLP calls on the other parties and MPs who voted for President Voronin on April 4, 2005, “to reassess their attitude towards PCRM and its leader, who deceived an important part of parliamentary opposition, western democracies, European and international organisations, that trusted him in the name of political stability and pro-European path. The last month events, including tough pronouncements about Romania, attempts to reach an agreement with Putin on the account of national interests of Moldova, the severe pressure to which the parliamentary opposition, press, civil society and church are subjected, shows that there is no room for any illusions as regards the modernization of PCRM and reaching of a national consent in the name of democracy and European idea”, says SLP’s statement, quoted by Info-Prim Neo.