edition-dw-akademie-in-the-service-of-the-public-functions-and-transformation-of-media-in-developing-countries-pdf

Part II Moldova: Slow but Successful Reform, Need for Visible Journalistic QualityMoldova: Slow but Successful Reform, Need for Visible Journalistic QualityTeleradio-Moldova (TRM) has managed to fulfill some of its public service functions through institutional reform. After havingserved as a propaganda instrument of the ruling Communist party for years, the media outlet entered into a transformation processtowards public service media when a pro-European coalition came to power in 2009. DW Akademie supported this processover many years. Since Moldova’s media landscape is economically very weak and practically no media organization is makingmoney, private media are not capable of fulfilling public service functions. This explains TRM’s relatively strong position on themarket. At the beginning of the reform process, the management opted to slow the speed of transformation in order to avoidconflict with the staff. Nevertheless, the content of its news and current affairs programs has become much more balanced andindependent. With its new programs and talk shows, TRM is creating a public sphere open to debate. However, it still neglects itsagenda-setting function. As to supporting integration, TRM has programs targeting various social groups. However, poor qualitymeans the public’s concerns are often not addressed adequately. The case of TRM shows that media development can assist inassuring some basic information services to the public – through processes of organizational reform.Teleradio-Moldova (TRM) embarked upon the transformationprocess towards a public service broadcaster when a pro-Europeancoalition came to power in 2009. Although the transformationprogressed much more slowly than expected, TRMtook significant steps towards fulfilling some of its publicservice media (PSM) functions. This study examines TRM’sachievements and challenges in the course of the process.Furthermore, its role within society is put into perspectivewithin Moldova’s media landscape.Moldova – A Brief OverviewThe Republic of Moldova gained independence in 1991. Formerlyknown as the “fruit basket” of the Soviet Union, it isnowadays one of the economically poorest countries in Europe.The Republic has a population of 3.56 million people. 1,2The biggest cities are the capital Chişinău with 650,000 inhabitantsand Bălţi in the north of the small country withroughly 150,000. According to the National Bureau of Statistics,78,0 percent of the population speak Moldovan/Romanianas their native language, 8.3 percent Ukrainian, 5.9 percentRussian, 4.3 percent Gagauz, and 1.9 percent Bulgarian. 3After gaining independence, Moldova fought a bloodycivil war with Transnistria, the separatist republic on the leftbank of the Nistru river. Since August 1992, the Transnistrianconflicthas been considered a frozen one with a peacekeepingforce under Russian leadership guaranteeing the status quo.The self-proclaimed “Pridnestrovian Moldovian Republic” isheavily dependent on Russian support, especially natural gas.Experts consider it to be a vital element in Moscow’s attemptto wield control in the region. A peace process moderated bythe OSCE has been without tangible results so far. Transnistriaremains de facto a separate state that has not been recognizedby any country in the world, including Russia.The Republic of Moldova is divided into 32 districts, 3 municipalitiesand two territorial units, one of them being Transnistria,the other one the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia,a region with autonomy in culture, education and otheraspects concerning local development, budget, taxation andsocial security. For Gagauzia, ties to Russia and the Russianlanguage remain important. In February 2014, the autonomousregion voted in a referendum for closer ties with Russiaover EU integration. After the annexation of the Crimea byRussia, Transnistria officially appilied in Moscow to be integratedinto the Russian Federation, as well.Politically, Moldova is a unitary parliamentary democracy.In April 2009, the controversial results of the parliamentaryelections granting victory to the ruling Communist Partysparked civil unrest in the capital Chişinău. In the end, theelections were repeated in July of the same year. Since then,a pro-European coalition has been governing the country invarious constellations. Business and politics are tightly intertwined.More than once business interests affected the rulingcoalition. The Republic of Moldova has signed an EU associationagreement in summer 2014. An agreement on visa-freetravel for Moldovan citizens to the counties of the Schengenagreement has been put into effect in spring of the same year.Economically, Moldova is heavily dependent on agriculture.Wine and produce are the main export goods. In addition, thecountry exports textiles and machinery. 4 Most of the industryof the former Soviet Republic was built on the left (Transnistrian)bank of the Nistru river and is thus now lost to theMoldovan economy. Because of the dire economic situation,roughly one third of the Moldovan work force (an estimatedone million people) is currently making a living as migrantworkers in Europe, Russia, and other post-Soviet countries.Their annual remittances of $1 billion make up a substantialshare of the Moldovan GDP. 51Biroul Național de Statisticăal Republicicii Moldova 2014a.2This data is valid only forMoldova proper, withoutTransnistria.3Biroul Național de Statisticăal Republicicii Moldova 2014b.4CIA 2014.5Ibid.Edition DW Akademie In the Service of the Public 121