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THE SITUATION OF THE MEDIA IN THE Republic of Moldova mirrors to a considerable extent the former Soviet republic's political evolution. Since proclaiming its independence on 27 August 1991. the country's progress toward democracy and the rule of law has been hesitant, and the state continues to be omnipresent in public life. Moldova's post-communist transformation is further complicated by the country's almost complete lack of democratic traditions, as well as by its leaders' lack of a clear will for political change. In addition, the political parties and the media are split on whether the country should stay independent and seek closer relations to other former Soviet republics or should gradually reorient itself toward Romania (to which most of the territory, under the name Bessarabia, belonged during the interwar period).