Post by radovic on May 27, 2008 9:46:59 GMT -5
US Condemn Silencing of Macedonia TV
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27 May 2008 Skopje _ The US embassy in Macedonia has condemned the stealing of broadcasting equipment belonging to the national TV Alsat M.
The theft left most of the Albanian populated western region of the country without a TV signal in the middle of election campaigning.
“The timing of this crime can only be interpreted as an attempt to silence a significant media voice in a critically importaint period,” Thursday’s statement issued by the US embassy reads.
The embassy called on the authorities to launch a speedy investigation and find those responsible for the theft.
The incident happened on Sunday at the Suva Gora broadcasting station. The theft prevented people from the ethnic Albanian strongholds, the western towns of Tetovo and Gostivar, from watching Alsat M.
Police said the crime was conducted by professionals who did not leave any traces behind.
The theft was also condemned by the EU mission in Skopje, the international election monitors in the country, the local Journalist’s Association and the state Broadcasting Council, as well as by all of the country's political parties.
Macedonia is in the middle of campaiigning for general elections to be held on June 1.
Alsat M TV broadcasts a mix of Albanian and Macedonian-language programmes. The station has complained in the past that it has come under pressure from the ruling Albanian party in Macedonia, the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA.
In November 2007 a similar theft of equipment was reported by the station, which has complained that no one has yet been arrested in relation to the November case.
Email a friend
Save article
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27 May 2008 Skopje _ The US embassy in Macedonia has condemned the stealing of broadcasting equipment belonging to the national TV Alsat M.
The theft left most of the Albanian populated western region of the country without a TV signal in the middle of election campaigning.
“The timing of this crime can only be interpreted as an attempt to silence a significant media voice in a critically importaint period,” Thursday’s statement issued by the US embassy reads.
The embassy called on the authorities to launch a speedy investigation and find those responsible for the theft.
The incident happened on Sunday at the Suva Gora broadcasting station. The theft prevented people from the ethnic Albanian strongholds, the western towns of Tetovo and Gostivar, from watching Alsat M.
Police said the crime was conducted by professionals who did not leave any traces behind.
The theft was also condemned by the EU mission in Skopje, the international election monitors in the country, the local Journalist’s Association and the state Broadcasting Council, as well as by all of the country's political parties.
Macedonia is in the middle of campaiigning for general elections to be held on June 1.
Alsat M TV broadcasts a mix of Albanian and Macedonian-language programmes. The station has complained in the past that it has come under pressure from the ruling Albanian party in Macedonia, the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA.
In November 2007 a similar theft of equipment was reported by the station, which has complained that no one has yet been arrested in relation to the November case.