Radio in the Republic of Moldova - the struggle for Public Service Broadcasting

The former Soviet republic of Moldova is a small, poor country (comparable in size and population to Wales) which has failed to establish itself as a united, democratic state since independence in 1991. When it left the USSR, it had one, state-controlled, radio broadcaster - what is now the legally independent public institution, Radio Moldova. By 2011, there were more than 50 other licensed stations. By comparison, Wales has fewer than half that number of licensed radio services (including two BBC and nine community stations). Many of Moldova's local stations - especially those outside the capital - have struggled to survive and rely on some form of subsidy. Both nationally and locally there are those who believe in the goal of providing public service broadcasting, but it remains both an ambition and a challenge.