GRT is a radio and television broadcaster that operates in the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldova. It broadcasts in the Gagauz language, a Turkic language spoken by the Gagauz people in Moldova, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey. It is the sole media outlet in the world that broadcasts in this language. The station rebroadcasts, along with its own programs, content from TRT, the state-owned broadcaster of Turkey.
Media assets
Television: Gagauz TV
Radio: Gagauz Radio
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
GRT is a state controlled body whose activity is governed by a broadcast act adopted in 2016 by the Popular Assembly of Gagauzia (the parliament of the region). GRT is also regulated by the Audiovisual Services Code of the Moldovan Republic. Hence, its governing structures are similar to those of TRM (a management committee headed by the General Director with the supreme governing structure being a Supervisory Council that names the General Director). The only difference is that the Supervisory Council of GRT is appointed by the regional parliament.
Source of funding and budget
There is no publicly available information about the budget of GRT. Local experts and journalists say that the station is majority funded by money from both the Moldovan government and the local authorities of the Gagauz region. It also receives regular support from the Turkish state media.
Editorial independence
There are no legal requirements that restrict the editorial independence of GRT. However, the appointment procedures of GRT’s governing bodies are blatantly abused by the local government in the Gagauzia region with the purpose of controlling the editorial agenda of the station. In the past couple of years, the pressures of the local authorities on GRT have intensified, compromising its editorial autonomy.
Moldova’s Audiovisual Services Code is the main document that establishes the independence of GRT, stating that the station must operate with full editorial independence. However, that is not respected in practice.
There is no independent assessment or oversight mechanism that would validate the editorial independence of GRT.
September 2023