Internews expresses concern over independent TV station

Internews, an international non-profit organisation supporting open media worldwide, has expressed concern over the operating status of Pyramida, one of the largest independent television stations in Kyrgyzstan, and which is currently being prevented from broadcasting on its licensed channel. "This is a worrying development," Nicholas Ebnother, country-director for Internews told IRIN from the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, on Thursday, calling on foreign representatives of international human rights organisations, NGOs and Kyrgyz deputies to bring the issue to the highest attention of the government. One of the last major independent television channels operating in the mountainous Central Asian state, as well as the largest in the capital, with a viewing audience of some 2.5 million, Pyramida broadcasts in Bishkek, the Chuy Valley, and Osh, the country's second largest city. "Pyramida is not an opposition station. It hasn't really been behaving in a way dangerous for the government, but is working to remain objective, without pressure, in covering the news," Ebnother said. But following a technical problem with its transmission one month ago - an issue that was quickly resolved - state telecommunication authorities have yet to allow Pyramida to resume broadcasting on its original VHF channel - leaving what Ebnother described as one of the few "genuinely" independent broadcasting outlets in a quandary. Not allowing it to broadcast on its usual channel had been having a serious impact on its audience and, consequently, its financial resources and capacity to produce programmes - thereby threatening the future sustainability of the media outlet. "The transmitter of this other channel is less powerful, providing less coverage," the Internews country director claimed, noting most people in Bishkek watch Pyramida on cable - something impossible through the other channel. Meanwhile, station authorities say they are prepared to resolve any remaining technical issues, but face a certain lack of concern and cooperation on the part of both technical and political authorities. According to US-based Internews, independent media remains a major component in democracy building in the former Soviet republic, especially during this pre-election period. "Independent media has been degrading over the past two or three years and I'm afraid the situation will get worse during the elections," the Internews country director said. Local elections begin in October 2004, with parliamentary elections set for July 2005. "It is the role of the authorities to ensure that all legally registered media outlets be able to work freely," the group said in statement, adding: "Any attempt to limit their activities would be unacceptable." There are some 200 independent media outlets in Kyrgyzstan - a country of nearly 5 million - including 120 newspapers, 60 broadcast outlets, as well as 20 press agencies and websites.