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Рy04 April 2015
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Interview with Valentina URSU, editor at Radio Free Europe
- You have been producing “Jurnal săptămânal” [Weekly journal] and “La sfârşit de săptămână cu Europa Liberă” [Weekends with Free Europe] for years now. What are these weekends like for you?
- For over ten years I have been preparing and hosting “Weekends with Free Europe”, which is a show aired on Saturdays. Also, it is on Saturdays that I travel through Moldova and talk with people at grassroots for hours. I traveled around the country far and wide. I went with the microphone of Free Europe to about a thousand villages of Moldova. I went there despite rain, cold or heat. I went through muddy and snowy roads. It was the only way for me to know the people of this country, who told me about their troubles, but there were also many of those who showed that with desire and skill, a lot can be done. So far, I haven’t exhausted the energy and desire to spend weekends with a microphone in my hand.
- For over ten years I have been preparing and hosting “Weekends with Free Europe”, which is a show aired on Saturdays. Also, it is on Saturdays that I travel through Moldova and talk with people at grassroots for hours. I traveled around the country far and wide. I went with the microphone of Free Europe to about a thousand villages of Moldova. I went there despite rain, cold or heat. I went through muddy and snowy roads. It was the only way for me to know the people of this country, who told me about their troubles, but there were also many of those who showed that with desire and skill, a lot can be done. So far, I haven’t exhausted the energy and desire to spend weekends with a microphone in my hand.
- You make reports and interviews for Radio Free Europe, but you are also editor, which means that you are responsible for the station’s editorial policy. What principles and values are guiding the team of Radio Free Europe in its work?
- The main principles of quality journalism are maintained regardless of the media. The first principle is correctness; the second – avoiding bias; the third – trying to present several viewpoints or perspectives; and the fourth – searching for the truth. There are certain issues in which we, journalists, can take a position, such as human rights, justice and corruption, for example. Public interest, pluralism of ideas and opinions and responsible practice of journalism are the main values on which Free Europe bases its work.
- The main principles of quality journalism are maintained regardless of the media. The first principle is correctness; the second – avoiding bias; the third – trying to present several viewpoints or perspectives; and the fourth – searching for the truth. There are certain issues in which we, journalists, can take a position, such as human rights, justice and corruption, for example. Public interest, pluralism of ideas and opinions and responsible practice of journalism are the main values on which Free Europe bases its work.
- What do you think about Moldovan journalism? Can our mass media be considered “the fourth power”?
- The quality of mass media in our country has been degrading in recent years, in the same tempo as society. It is worrying that the media’s role as “watchdog” of democracy is decreasing. One case of corruption fuels two or three articles; then – silence and, of course, oblivion. All of that created a sense of mistrust in the Moldovan society, and many wonder if the fourth power remains powerless. I believe that the media has lost its influence, both to consumers of information and especially to authorities. But the real, honest journalists understand that they must be close to the people’s souls and concerns. Let’s not forget Albert Camus saying that “A free press can be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom a press will never be anything but bad.”
- The quality of mass media in our country has been degrading in recent years, in the same tempo as society. It is worrying that the media’s role as “watchdog” of democracy is decreasing. One case of corruption fuels two or three articles; then – silence and, of course, oblivion. All of that created a sense of mistrust in the Moldovan society, and many wonder if the fourth power remains powerless. I believe that the media has lost its influence, both to consumers of information and especially to authorities. But the real, honest journalists understand that they must be close to the people’s souls and concerns. Let’s not forget Albert Camus saying that “A free press can be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom a press will never be anything but bad.”
- What means do some media outlets use to win more popularity and public trust?
- Because the number of radios and televisions has grown a lot, the time that people spend following a single radio or television has decreased considerably. To capture public attention, the media feel forced to present unusual programs that make the public interested. It seems that newscasts, especially on television, have become a show of successive images, chosen to shock or intrigue, while reports are shortened to meet the increasingly low concentration of viewers. The most trust in gained by means of objectivity and quality.
- Because the number of radios and televisions has grown a lot, the time that people spend following a single radio or television has decreased considerably. To capture public attention, the media feel forced to present unusual programs that make the public interested. It seems that newscasts, especially on television, have become a show of successive images, chosen to shock or intrigue, while reports are shortened to meet the increasingly low concentration of viewers. The most trust in gained by means of objectivity and quality.
- You said in an interview that “politics divided the society even more.” How did that happen? Who wins and who loses in this situation?
- Moldovan media were often used as an instrument in political fight, without resistance from editorial offices, revealing a crisis of image in terms of quality of content and public trust, being politically polarized especially during electoral campaigns. Both sides have to lose.
- Moldovan media were often used as an instrument in political fight, without resistance from editorial offices, revealing a crisis of image in terms of quality of content and public trust, being politically polarized especially during electoral campaigns. Both sides have to lose.
- What happens with media consumers? How do they orient themselves in the sea of information? In what cases can people tax media outlets for distortion of the truth?
- It is for consumers to decide. They must want to be informed rather than manipulated. They can only tax by pushing buttons on the remote control.
- It is for consumers to decide. They must want to be informed rather than manipulated. They can only tax by pushing buttons on the remote control.
- What is the relation between the power and the media in Moldova?
- Considering that we live in a country that wants to be democratic, I find that the public is offered diverse opinions and has access to a multitude of sources. We all need freedom to search for information and to know the truth. Therefore, although the media are often subservient to political power, we, citizens, must be interested in knowing the truth. Because there are contradictory discussions based on different information. We can observe and understand political scandals, and not only, from many perspectives. The power shouldn’t interfere with the affairs of the press. By taking the road of compromise with political circles, the media condemn themselves and risk losing even more credibility. It seems that public trust in the media goes hand in hand with mistrust in political leaders.
- Considering that we live in a country that wants to be democratic, I find that the public is offered diverse opinions and has access to a multitude of sources. We all need freedom to search for information and to know the truth. Therefore, although the media are often subservient to political power, we, citizens, must be interested in knowing the truth. Because there are contradictory discussions based on different information. We can observe and understand political scandals, and not only, from many perspectives. The power shouldn’t interfere with the affairs of the press. By taking the road of compromise with political circles, the media condemn themselves and risk losing even more credibility. It seems that public trust in the media goes hand in hand with mistrust in political leaders.
- What do MPs have to hide from journalists, who are prohibited access to plenary parliament meetings, and why do journalists need to fight for the right to do their job in decent conditions? What do you think as a journalist accredited to the Parliament?
- The regulations governing the work of accredited journalists contain requirements limiting access of the media to parliamentary debates. There are some surprising requirements, and the fact that they were not discussed with the journalistic community is incomprehensible, which is the reason why media outlets demanded annulment of this document. Lawmakers, who are the servants of the people, shouldn’t have anything to hide from those who elected them.
- The regulations governing the work of accredited journalists contain requirements limiting access of the media to parliamentary debates. There are some surprising requirements, and the fact that they were not discussed with the journalistic community is incomprehensible, which is the reason why media outlets demanded annulment of this document. Lawmakers, who are the servants of the people, shouldn’t have anything to hide from those who elected them.
- How can the interest of the media and of the public be protected from political interference?
- The lack of intelligent policies ensuring public interest in the media field overall and particularly in broadcasting led to the current situation of monopoly and broad political control on the media field, undermining true reforms. The lack of political will, especially lack of solidarity of the journalistic community, make reforms go around in circles.
- The lack of intelligent policies ensuring public interest in the media field overall and particularly in broadcasting led to the current situation of monopoly and broad political control on the media field, undermining true reforms. The lack of political will, especially lack of solidarity of the journalistic community, make reforms go around in circles.
- Mass media behavior in the coverage of last year’s electoral campaign was negatively surprising in many aspects. Do you think this situation will occur again in the period of the local elections this June?
- Although numerous journalists and their media outlets committed to covering electoral campaigns exactly and informatively, there were and still are reasons for concern in this sense. A free press allows and even organizes debates between people with different opinions. But do we have a culture of media debates in Moldova?
- Although numerous journalists and their media outlets committed to covering electoral campaigns exactly and informatively, there were and still are reasons for concern in this sense. A free press allows and even organizes debates between people with different opinions. But do we have a culture of media debates in Moldova?
- Let’s also speak about securing the information space from foreign propaganda. What solutions could exist in such cases?
- It seems that the legislative initiative of MPs develops the theses of the governing program on ensuring the security of the information space. But it is also an attempt of politicians to defend themselves from criticism, limiting the media’s freedom of expression. Legislative initiative has no chance to be examined in the parliament in its initial form. Any project of modification of the legislation on broadcasting must begin with public debates, which didn’t happen in this case. I also feel that public discussion of this project is necessary. But I share the lawmakers’ concern for real sovereignty of the information space. A compromise would be welcome.
- It seems that the legislative initiative of MPs develops the theses of the governing program on ensuring the security of the information space. But it is also an attempt of politicians to defend themselves from criticism, limiting the media’s freedom of expression. Legislative initiative has no chance to be examined in the parliament in its initial form. Any project of modification of the legislation on broadcasting must begin with public debates, which didn’t happen in this case. I also feel that public discussion of this project is necessary. But I share the lawmakers’ concern for real sovereignty of the information space. A compromise would be welcome.
- How much freedom do journalists in Moldova have now?
- Press freedom developed a little since proclamation of the country’s independence. Even this interview proves the existence of free press in Moldova. Unfortunately, however, there is no real free press. Press freedom refers, first of all, to journalists’ freedom in doing their job, collecting and spreading real information. Then, there is freedom of expression and freedom of opinion, which are basic rights in a democracy. The state should have a fundamental interest in making space in the Citadel and guaranteeing press freedom. A people cannot develop without access to information and possibility to discuss freely based on this information. The state must give information, not hide it, unless it is truly related to safety of the state. Essentially, all institutions of the state must provide all information they have. But it is not so, and this fact shatters the state. There can be no free society without independent press. At the same time, disinformation and manipulation are hiding political and economic arrangements, “protecting” bribery, the system becoming more and more corrupt and deeply corrupt. It feels that the separation of powers in Moldova is disappearing.
Unfortunately, quality press has a limited public. And the fact that the state has no levers to help this quality press, it becomes increasingly feeble. If the public isn’t educated to know their right to correct information, we can hardly speak about press freedom and true reforms that are needed in this field.
- Press freedom developed a little since proclamation of the country’s independence. Even this interview proves the existence of free press in Moldova. Unfortunately, however, there is no real free press. Press freedom refers, first of all, to journalists’ freedom in doing their job, collecting and spreading real information. Then, there is freedom of expression and freedom of opinion, which are basic rights in a democracy. The state should have a fundamental interest in making space in the Citadel and guaranteeing press freedom. A people cannot develop without access to information and possibility to discuss freely based on this information. The state must give information, not hide it, unless it is truly related to safety of the state. Essentially, all institutions of the state must provide all information they have. But it is not so, and this fact shatters the state. There can be no free society without independent press. At the same time, disinformation and manipulation are hiding political and economic arrangements, “protecting” bribery, the system becoming more and more corrupt and deeply corrupt. It feels that the separation of powers in Moldova is disappearing.
Unfortunately, quality press has a limited public. And the fact that the state has no levers to help this quality press, it becomes increasingly feeble. If the public isn’t educated to know their right to correct information, we can hardly speak about press freedom and true reforms that are needed in this field.
- In the programs you do on Radio Free Europe, you often address local realities. What changes do you see in the landscape? How ready are our people to accept European values?
- There are two realities, two parallel worlds in the country: Moldova of the poor and Moldova of the rich. But there are also lots of good people, who impress me by their welcoming nature, goodwill and way of thought. It is a different kind of people, a different type of reality. For those who have eyes to see and mind to understand. There still are people for whom European values are not foreign. I have been asking questions and searching for answers for almost 30 years. I’m sorry that in my programs I speak more about poverty and corruption. I hope that it won’t take many years for us to be able to speak about true modernization of this country and about the fact that Moldova has political elite, too.
- There are two realities, two parallel worlds in the country: Moldova of the poor and Moldova of the rich. But there are also lots of good people, who impress me by their welcoming nature, goodwill and way of thought. It is a different kind of people, a different type of reality. For those who have eyes to see and mind to understand. There still are people for whom European values are not foreign. I have been asking questions and searching for answers for almost 30 years. I’m sorry that in my programs I speak more about poverty and corruption. I hope that it won’t take many years for us to be able to speak about true modernization of this country and about the fact that Moldova has political elite, too.
- Congratulations for the tenth edition of “Jurnal Săptămânal”, which was launched on the eve of Easter.
- It is a jubilee edition, the tenth. The launch of the publication was organized in Cosnita, Basarabeasca, Balti, Soroca, Cahul, Straseni and Chisinau. Generally speaking about this project, over 700 weeks were covered in the ten years since the first issue of “Jurnal Saptamanal”, and over 700 people were protagonists of the rubric. We say that these authors portray Moldova without make-up or bias. It is a parallel chronicle of events, produced by listeners of Free Europe. I hope years later it will be read with even greater interest.
- It is a jubilee edition, the tenth. The launch of the publication was organized in Cosnita, Basarabeasca, Balti, Soroca, Cahul, Straseni and Chisinau. Generally speaking about this project, over 700 weeks were covered in the ten years since the first issue of “Jurnal Saptamanal”, and over 700 people were protagonists of the rubric. We say that these authors portray Moldova without make-up or bias. It is a parallel chronicle of events, produced by listeners of Free Europe. I hope years later it will be read with even greater interest.
