LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS RELIEVE PRESSURE ON PRO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 001257

SENSITIVE

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STATE FOR EUR/UMB, DRL/EA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM MD
SUBJECT: LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS RELIEVE PRESSURE ON PRO
TV

Sensitive But Unclassified. Please Protect Accordingly.


1. (SBU) Summary: The Audiovisual Coordinating Council decided on
December 19 to extend the broadcasting license of PRO TV and 11
other media outlets to an undetermined date after the upcoming
elections. The decision recognized that any action taken against
these media would be viewed as political action coloring the
electoral campaign. It is clear that this decision was taken in
response to pressure from the international community, and
demonstrates that Moldovan authorities do value their country's
reputation in the West. End summary.

PRO TV and other Licenses Good Until After Elections
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2. (SBU) The nine-member Audiovisual Coordinating Council of Moldova
met in a public session on December 19, 2008, to discuss the issue
of extension of frequency-broadcasting licenses for 12 broadcasters
beyond the licenses' expiration. Although these broadcasters were
mostly radio, PRO TV was among them. At the start of the session,
Corneliu Mihalache, a Council member, proposed that the broadcasters
listed be allowed to continue operating beyond the imminent
expiration of their licenses to sometime afer the upcoming
parliamentary elections. Mihalace said the action was necessary in
order to avoi the public portrayal of the ACC as a politically
driven regulatory body and to prevent damage to Mldova's
international image, especially in view f the upcoming
parliamentary elections.


2. (SB) Council Chairman Gheorghe Gorincioi then put thefollowing
two-part proposal to a vote of the Coucil: allow all 12
broadcasters to function pasttheir license expiration deadlines;
and place a oratorium on competition for the frequencies of the
listed broadcasters until sometime after the eletions (expected in
March or April 2009). With n discussion, both parts of the
proposal were adopted by a vote of eight votes in favor and one
abstention.

Threat to Withdraw License Provoked Outcry
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3. (SBU) The Audiovisual Council's decision must be understood
against the background of events and actions since December 11, when
the Council sent a letter to PRO TV, the only remaining major
independent television broadcaster in the country, informing it that
its license would not be extended. As soon as the ACC letter was
made public, there was an immediate outcry, both locally and from
the international community. Numerous opposition parties condemned
the ACC position as a politically motivated attempt to silence a
major independent media outlet on the eve of the upcoming elections.
There were also some spontaneous demonstrations in support of PRO
TV and against the ACC's publicly expressed position.

4. (SBU) On December 12, Council Chairman Gorincioi held a press
conference during which he backtracked from the position specified
in the letter, stating that PRO TV and other stations whose licenses
expire would have to go through a competition for their frequencies.
Later, speaking on a Pro TV program, Gorincioi said he wanted PRO
TV to continue broadcasting unhindered.

5. (SBU) Meanwhile, there was an international outcry regarding the
PRO TV case. The EU Commissioner for External Relations and the
European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in a statement
on December 12, expressed concern about the ACC position, saying it
was "important that the Moldovan authorities respect their
international commitments in the field of democracy and human
rights, and media freedom, especially in the run-up to the spring
2009 parliamentary elections."

6. (SBU) Kalman Miszei, EU Special Representative, met President
Voronin on December 18 and delivered a personal message from Xavier
Solana, who is responsible for EU Foreign Affairs. (Note: A source
said the President had responded that he did not interfere in the
ACC's affairs, but that he would not object if the ACC decided to
place a moratorium on the frequency competition. End note.) The
U.S. Embassy and other Missions requested a meeting with President
Voronin to discuss concerns regarding free media. The note
requesting the meeting was leaked and published in Moldovan media.
In the end, all the noise and pressure seems to have worked,
culminating in the ACC decision mentioned above.

Comment: Squeaky Wheels Receive Attention
--------------


7. (SBU) Comment: Though it remains to be seen what happens after
the elections, the immediate pressure on PRO TV has been lifted.
This story demonstrates the extent to which Moldovan authorities
value their country's reputation in the West, and the speed with
which positive course-corrections can be made. The story also
demonstrates to civil society and the Euro-Atlantic community in
Chisinau the importance of vigilance, and quick and united action,

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in the face of threats to freedom of information.

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