Ro
En
Рy08 April 2016
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Moldovan media NGOs condemn the interruption of satellite transmission of TV7 channel by the TDB-service company and qualify these actions as limitation of rights of access to information and freedom of expression.
According to a declaration made public on Friday, April 8, 2016, by the administration of TV7, Moldovan company TDB-service, which provides services of satellite transmission of TV signals, ceased performing its contractual obligations to TV7 on April 5 at 16.20, without motivating this action. As a result, because the majority of cable networks in Moldova receive the channel’s video signal through TDB-service, viewers in the majority of localities in the country had no access to TV7 programs.
We condemn these irresponsible actions that could be qualified as a serious attempt at freedom of expression and an attempt at censorship of mass media. It should be noted that article 34 of the Constitution of Moldova stipulates that “the right to have access to any information of public interest cannot be restricted,” and that intentional prevention of mass media activities is punishable under criminal law.
We ask the Broadcasting Coordinating Council and the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology to investigate the reasons of discretionary suspension of services of satellite transmission of TV7 by TDB-service. We also ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take note of this act and to examine the real reasons that led to suspension of transmission services by TDB-service, in violation of the Criminal Code.
We ask foreign embassies and representative offices in Moldova, as well as the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, to monitor this attempt at preventing the activities of a media outlet that presents opinions that are alternative to the official positions of the country’s government.
Independent Journalism Center
Association of Independent Press
Association of Electronic Press
Press Freedom Committee
“Acces-Info” Center
Association of Independent TV Journalists
Young Journalist Center of Moldova
Center of Journalistic Investigations
According to a declaration made public on Friday, April 8, 2016, by the administration of TV7, Moldovan company TDB-service, which provides services of satellite transmission of TV signals, ceased performing its contractual obligations to TV7 on April 5 at 16.20, without motivating this action. As a result, because the majority of cable networks in Moldova receive the channel’s video signal through TDB-service, viewers in the majority of localities in the country had no access to TV7 programs.
We condemn these irresponsible actions that could be qualified as a serious attempt at freedom of expression and an attempt at censorship of mass media. It should be noted that article 34 of the Constitution of Moldova stipulates that “the right to have access to any information of public interest cannot be restricted,” and that intentional prevention of mass media activities is punishable under criminal law.
We ask the Broadcasting Coordinating Council and the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology to investigate the reasons of discretionary suspension of services of satellite transmission of TV7 by TDB-service. We also ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take note of this act and to examine the real reasons that led to suspension of transmission services by TDB-service, in violation of the Criminal Code.
We ask foreign embassies and representative offices in Moldova, as well as the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, to monitor this attempt at preventing the activities of a media outlet that presents opinions that are alternative to the official positions of the country’s government.
Independent Journalism Center
Association of Independent Press
Association of Electronic Press
Press Freedom Committee
“Acces-Info” Center
Association of Independent TV Journalists
Young Journalist Center of Moldova
Center of Journalistic Investigations
