Protests In Moldova Over Possible Closure Of Independent TV Station

CHISINAU (RFE/RL) -- Protest actions continue in Moldova against a government plan that could shut down the country's most popular independent televison station, Pro TV.

The opposition Liberal-Democrat Party is collecting signatures in front of the parliament in Chisinau for a petition demanding that officials allow Pro TV to continue broadcasting after its license expires on December 23, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.

A rally in support of the TV station is also planned for December 22.

Organizations such as the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have expressed concern that Pro TV will stop broadcasting.

Moldova's CCA, the state media watchdog, said the Romanian-based Pro TV must go through a tender to gain a new license. But the station says it is being punished by CCA because of its independence and occasional criticism of the Moldovan government.