We, media institutions, are concerned over the situation around the anticipatory breach of the contract with the Chairman of the Board of the Public television and radio company of Ukraine (NSTU) Zurab Alasania. We are expecting the minutes of the meeting of the Supervisory council to be made public in order “to examine on a reasonable grounds such a decision and to verify whether all juridical procedures had been respected”.
Not less important than the procedural issues is a timing concept. Because, even the right things made in an undue time could result in undesirable effect. Destabilizing the broadcaster during pre-election period place under an immediate danger the democracy in Ukraine and is playing into hands of external enemy.
By adopting such a decision on the 31st of January the Supervisory council demonstrated its lack of knowledge of these principles or its lack of wish to respect it. Whatever would be the reasons of such actions (failure to be professional or some political manipulations) the Supervisory council of NSTU failed to attend its main task which is to ensure a stable and an efficacious functioning of the public broadc aster as one of the most important institutions in the state.
We urge the Supervisory council members to revise its decision and to rectify the mistakes for the sake of the national interests of Ukraine and of all the society”.
NGO Internews Ukraine
NGO The Institute of Mass Information
Souspilnist Foundation
NGO Detektor Media
NGO Center for Democracy and Rule of Law
