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"Speaking in Bonn, Deutsche Welle’s Director of Programmes Joachim
Lenz said that the closure 'was further proof that the Ukrainian state does
not allow freedom of press and speech' "
PRESS RELEASE: Association for International Broadcasting (AIB)
London, UK, 4 March 2004, www.aib.org.uk
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LONDON - The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) today
expressed its concern at the decision by Ukrainian authorities to close
Kiev-based broadcaster Radio Kontinent. Kontinent, an independent station,
was closed by an order issued by Ukraine’s State Centre of Radio Frequencies
(Ukrchastnotnaglyad) on 3rd March.
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As well as producing its own principally music-based programmes, Kontinent
is a rebroadcasting partner of the Ukrainian-language services of BBC World
Service, Deutsche Welle, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Polonia and
the Voice of America, all members of the AIB.
"Radio Kontinent has been a vital source of impartial information for the
people of Kiev," says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the AIB. "The
station has worked in partnership with leading western broadcasters to bring
world and regional news to its audiences in the Ukrainian capital. The AIB
believes that this closure is not in the best interest of the Ukrainian
people who want access to free speech as well as unbiased news and
information. The AIB urges Ukrainian authorities to allow Kontinent to
return to the air as a matter of urgency."
Radio Kontinent has worked with international stations for several years,
rebroadcasting news and current affairs programmes to listeners across the
Ukrainian capital. Kontinent recently started to take the output of
Prague-based Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) which until February
17 had been transmitted by the Radio Dovira network in Ukraine. However,
following a management change, the station ceased its working arrangement
with RFE/RL.
"Hundreds of radio stations around the world carry programming from many
international broadcasters," continues Spanswick. "Tens of millions of
people in countries from Argentina to Zambia tune in to local broadcasters
who relay news and current affairs programmes from stations abroad.
International radio and television stations provide trusted, reliable
information, to make sense of our complex, confusing and contradictory
world, and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas. It is vital to
democracy worldwide that these broadcasts are not interfered with by
governments and politicians."
The closure of Radio Kontinent has drawn criticism from broadcasters.
Speaking in Bonn, Deutsche Welle’s Director of Programmes Joachim Lenz
said that the closure "was further proof that the Ukrainian state does not
allow freedom of press and speech."
From Prague, Tom Dine, President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, said
"We at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty are angry and outraged by this
blatant act in suppressing factual news and information from a variety of
high-quality journalists. Ukraine's name and its people are badly damaged;
the first freedom - free expression - is harmed."
David Jackson, Director of the Voice of America, said: "The Voice of America
has a reputation around the world for providing balanced and reliable news.
Silencing that Voice is not in Ukraine's interests."
And the BBC in London issued a statement in which it expressed its
disappointment with the closure of Radio Kontinent and expressed hope the
station will be given a chance to re-apply for a licence and be on air
again. "Many BBC listeners in Kiev have been tuning in to our programmes
through Radio Kontinent, and we are sad that they will now be deprived of
this option.
We have enjoyed working with Radio Kontinent and hope they will be able to
re-apply for the licence in the future in order to continue to enrich the
choice of the Ukrainian listener with their mix of news, jazz and classical
music."
The AIB has written to Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych and to
Ukraine’s Ambassadors in Berlin, London, Prague, Warsaw and Washington
concerning the closure of Radio Kontinent. The AIB has urged the return of
its confiscated transmitting equipment and sought reassurance that stations
in the Ukraine that broadcast programmes from abroad will not face censure
or harassment.
The Association for International Broadcasting is the trade association that
represents the interests of the international radio and television industry.
Its members encompass public and commercial radio and television
broadcasters, providers of technology and equipment to broadcasters,
satellite and transmission companies, and consulting firms. The AIB provides
members with representation and lobbying services, market intelligence
briefings and networking opportunities.
The AIB publishes a quarterly magazine, The Channel, which reports on the
international broadcasting industry to more than 4,500 readers in 100
countries worldwide. It also produces the Global Broadcasting Guide which is
a guide to the international radio and television industry. Each year, the
AIB Global Media Business Conference brings together the world’s
international broadcasting leaders for the industry’s summit. This year’s
Conference takes place in Prague on 12 and 13 May.
About international broadcasting: There are more than 100 international
radio stations and more than 50 international television channels
broadcasting to audiences around the world. Audiences for these
international broadcasters exceed 150 million people around the world.
For more information, contact: Simon Spanswick on +44 (0) 20 8297 3993,
mobile: +44 (0) 7802 936 786, e-mail: simon.spanswick@aib.org.uk.
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