2006 News Archive

Joint Statement on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2006

May 5, 2006

A free, independent and pluralistic media is crucial for the development of a functioning democracy and, thus, for Moldova’s European integration prospects. We recall the commitment undertaken by Moldova to the freedom of the media in the EU-Moldova European Neighbourhood Action Plan.

The signatories to this declaration therefore regret that - despite repeated affirmations by Moldovan authorities of their commitment to these values - little progress in the field of media reform has been noticed over the last year.

We are especially concerned about the lack of progress in transforming Teleradio Moldova into a truly independent, unbiased Public Service Broadcaster.

We are also concerned about various obstacles that the independent press faces, including impediments in gaining access to information and unfair competition with media outlets directly or indirectly supported by state authorities.

We call on the Moldovan authorities to move from words to deeds and to implement real reforms in the media sector without further delay. The government’s encouraging first steps to make the draft broadcasting law public and to invite public discussion of it must now be followed by decisive actions to reform the sector.

We express our firm expectation that the recommendations put forth by the OSCE and Council of Europe on the draft broadcasting code will be fully reflected in the final version of the law and that the reformed broadcasting legislation will be implemented in the spirit of common European values.

Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

Embassy of France

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Embassy of the Republic of Hungary

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania

Embassy of the Republic of Poland

Embassy of Romania

Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Embassy of the United States of America

Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Moldova

Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe 

OSCE Mission to Moldova

Chisinau, 3 May 2006