GRT FM

GRT FM is the public radio station with regional coverage, being part of the Public Institution Gagauziya Radio Televizionu Public Company. GRT FM broadcasts 24 hours a day and broadcasts 80% of its own content: 15% analytical programs, 20% cultural-educational programs, 35% music, 1% advertising, and 9% other genres.

The radio station's history begins in the 90s. The events in Gagauzia in 1990 contributed to the creation of Gagauz radio at the end of August that year, and in 1993 the radio station "Gagauz dalgasi" ("Gagauz Wave") was founded, which existed for two years. In 1995, "Gagauz dalgasi" was transferred to the management of the State Company "Teleradio Moldova". At that time, the radio was only available to residents of the Comrat region but continued to be the only radio station in the Gagauz autonomy where the Gagauz language could be heard. In 2000, with financial and technical support from the International Organization TIKA in Moldova, a radio association was established, and later, radio and television merged into a single media structure - the State Company "Teleradio Gagauzia".

The company existed in this status for 7 years and was then transformed into a public one in accordance with the "Radio and Television Law" adopted in 2007 by the People's Assembly of Gagauzia. In March 2016, the People's Assembly of Gagauzia adopted a new Law "On Television and Broadcasting," under which TV-Gagauzia operates today. Several non-governmental organizations raised alarm then, mentioning that the draft law would violate national legislation and would generate limitation of freedom of expression in the region. Similarly, the draft law would contain many contradictions and would rebuild the Public Company on principles absolutely contrary to the public spirit of a broadcaster.

Eight years after adoption, experts found that the Law adopted in March 2016 does not have an integral and logically coherent structure. Among other things, a study from June 2024 mentioned that the law does not regulate the concept of propaganda and disinformation.

The editorial policy of the public radio station in the Gagauz region has been influenced by ruling political parties and leaders, with television management or the Supervisory Council often being changed along with changes in governance.

The company existed in this status for 7 years and was then transformed into a public one in accordance with the "Radio and Television Law" adopted in 2007 by the People's Assembly of Gagauzia. In March 2016, the People's Assembly of Gagauzia adopted a new Law "On Television and Broadcasting," under which TV-Gagauzia operates today. Several non-governmental organizations raised alarm then, mentioning that the draft law would violate national legislation and would generate limitation of freedom of expression in the region. Similarly, the draft law would contain many contradictions and would rebuild the Public Company on principles absolutely contrary to the public spirit of a broadcaster.

Eight years after adoption, experts found that the Law adopted in March 2016 does not have an integral and logically coherent structure. Among other things, a study from June 2024 mentioned that the law does not regulate the concept of propaganda and disinformation.

The editorial policy of the public radio station in the Gagauz region has been influenced by ruling political parties and leaders, with television management or the Supervisory Council often being changed along with changes in governance.

The new management installed in 2022 promoted pro-Russian narratives and discredited Moldova's European integration. Several deputies of the People's Assembly of Gagauzia condemned the actions of the GRT Company's Supervisory Council chairman, Mihail Vlah, for supporting the former Shor party. He was accused of serving party interests and introducing censorship on television. The former GRT director, Ecaterina Jekova, and the former editor of the GRT website, Oxana Chihaial, also spoke about GRT management's subservience to the new power installed in Gagauzia and GRT's promotion of Moscow's propaganda narratives.

In recent years, GRT has been sanctioned several times by the Audiovisual Council, especially for spreading disinformation. At the same time, media NGOs have consistently expressed concern over the past year about ethical violations within the GRT company, condemning elements of censorship. For example, many have noticed that during the "Studio Dialogue" show, which is broadcast on the Gagauz public radio station, listeners are no longer allowed to express their opinions. The host simply interrupts listeners who express critical opinions about Shor and members of his group. The range of guests on GRT FM changed dramatically after Shor's control was established, say independent journalists from the region. People loyal to Shor began to be invited to shows, and politicians and deputies who expressed critical opinions about Shor and the Executive Committee of Gagauzia ceased to appear.