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 Ukraines State Centre of Radio Frequencies (Ukrchastnotnaglyad) on 3rd March. 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 Welles 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 Ukraines Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych and to Ukraines 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.