Hasty exclusion of TV channels from cable networks in Moldova can hurt media pluralism, says OSCE representative

VIENNA, 14 January 2014 –OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that the hasty exclusion of three TV channels from several cable networks could hurt media pluralism in Moldova.

According to media reports, Accent TV was taken off Moldtelecom’s network on 31 December and RTR Moldova on 4 January.  On 13 January several private cable service providers excluded Jurnal TV from their packages. The exclusion of the latter was made without any notification to Jurnal TV or the regulatory body in Moldova, the Audiovisual Coordinating Council.

“The unilateral decision to stop retransmission of these three channels can curb media freedom and limit media pluralism in Moldova, not least since these channels were known for their critical reporting on the current government,” Mijatović said.

“I call on the authorities and the regulatory body to immediately look into these matters in order to preserve media pluralism in Moldova,” Mijatović said.