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Media NGOs statement regarding the decision of the Broadcasting Coordinating Council to stop the broadcast of the radio station Ploaia de Argint

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At the same time, the BCC decided to suspend the broadcast of the radio station, whereas it had decided earlier on October 26, to allow the station to continue its activity until Ploaia de Argint would be assigned a new broadcasting license.

We consider the conflict between the broadcaster Ploaia de Argint and BCC to be unfounded and brought about deliberately by the broadcaster. We also consider the BCC`s decision to stop the transmission of the radio station Ploaia de Argint as rushed and inappropriate.

On the one hand, the broadcasting license of the radio station Ploaia de Argint expired in April 2009, and the conflict between the broadcaster and the BCC began when the former requested the BCC to extend de jure its broadcasting license, despite the fact that during its activity the broadcaster had been penalized for violating the broadcasting legislation and the conditions of the license . The BCC dismissed the request of Ploaia de Argint to extend de jure its license and decided to run the frequencies in the contest for use of radio and television frequencies in accordance with the law. Ploaia de Argint, however, refused to take part in the contest.

We consider that the broadcaster unreasonably delayed the conflict by submitting several requests to BCC, inter alia requesting that BCC "within one working day assign a new broadcasting license valid for 7 years".

On the other hand, the signatory NGOs evaluate the BCC`s decision to stop the transmission of the radio station Ploaia de Argint as inappropriate. By the injunction of the Chisinau Court of Appeal, the BCC was compelled to take the radio frequencies previously held by the broadcaster out of the contest until a final court decision is issued. We believe that BCC, as the guarantor of the public interest, should not deprive the listeners of the radio station Ploaia de Argint of information as long as a final court decision is not yet delivered. We call on the BCC to look into other ways of solving the problem and to ensure the pluralism and diversity on the broadcasting area in Moldova.

Independent Journalism Center
Independent Press Association
Electronic Press Association
Access-info Center
Journalistic Investigations Center