| Series Title | European Voice |
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| Series Details | Vol.11, No.45, 15.12.05 |
| Publication Date | 15/12/2005 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 15/12/05 Belarussian pro-democracy groups have hit out at the European Commission for short-listing a Russian government-linked TV channel to beam EU funded broadcasts into the country. The Commission has become the subject of withering criticism, after it emerged that Moscow-based Center TV (TVC) was one of four companies in the running for the multimillion-euro project, aimed at promoting democratic values. Democracy campaigners have protested that the channel has ties with the Belarussian government as well as the Kremlin and accused the Commission of naivety. "It is hard to see why TVC is participating in this tender," said Olga Stuzhinskaya, a representative for the Belarussian opposition in Brussels. "They are trying to push out other participants and if they win the tender to block Belarussians from receiving alternative information they desperately need. "If successful, the TVC would have another instrument for supporting Belarus's authoritarian leader and the idea of the so-called Belarus-Russia union, and helping Lukashenko win another 'elegant victory' in the 2006 elections." Emma Udwin, a Commission spokeswoman, said: "No decision has been taken. A shortlist is just that." Russian observers say the channel, while not as openly biased as others, is largely a mouth piece for Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov and remains loyal to the Kremlin. Concerned by growing repression in Belarus, the EU in September this year announced it was ready to spend _2 million to support independent media. The EU has already committed _138,000 to Germany's Deutsche Welle Radio, which has begun broadcasting a daily 15-minute programme in the country. While the broadcast appears to have had limited success so far, reaching fewer than 1,000 listeners, in backing satellite broadcasts the Commission hopes to reach a larger audience. For its bid, Center TV has teamed up with German public relations and advertising agency Media Consulta, who recently ran a major Commission anti-smoking campaign. One Media Consulta representative said his company was aware of the allegations made against Center TV but declined to comment further. EU officials said that they were aware of the concerns of the opposition but expressed confidence that the Commission had researched the candidates thoroughly. Executives representing Center TV and Media Consulta met Commission officials on Wednesday (14 December) to make a final presentation. Other consortia headed by Ukrainian, Latvian and Polish firms also met the Commission this week. The Commission is to take a final decision on 19 January. The EU is to spend €2m to support independent media in Belarus but is criticised for including a pro-Rusian tv channel on the shortlist for providing the service. The Commission should take a decision by the 19 January 2006. |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Countries / Regions | Belarus |
