Media NGOs disapprove a resolution issued by the Chisinau District Court whereby journalists' access to court premises could be restricted

Non-governmental media organisations disagree with a recent resolution signed by Vice-President of the Chisinau District Court, Ghenadie Pavliuc, which could create confusion and restrict the journalists’ access to the Center office of the court.

We recall that on 20 June 2018, the Vice-President of the Chisinau District Court issued the resolution ‘On Access to Court Buildings’ which, among other things, stipulates that the access of press to courtrooms will be offered ‘taking into account the available space’.

An absolutely new requirement is that the press must be accredited by the Broadcasting Coordination Council, though the broadcasting authority does not have such legal powers. 
We remind in this context that in November 2016, the Superior Council of Magistracy annulled its own Regulation on Access to Courts, published in the Official Gazette, which envisaged a number of restrictions, especially for journalists, that were qualified as abusive.

We reiterate that the role of the media is to inform the country’s citizens about any events that could influence their lives, rights and interests, and one of the obligations of the authorities is to ensure proper functioning of the institutions and mechanisms that offer this information. To this end, journalists have the right to make audiovisual recordings, to shoot videos and make photographs, and to attend public hearings in courts of any level. 

We urge the Chisinau District Court to review the text of this resolution, which could restrict the media access to court hearings of public interest, as it happened on 19 June, when the results of the new local elections in the capital city were not validated.

We urge the Superior Council of Magistracy, a body with judiciary  management powers, to maintain an open environment in courts and to support the press in its effort to cover the important events on the public agenda.
 
Independent Journalism Center
Association of Independent Press
Association of Electronic Press
Association of Independent TV Journalists  
Association of Investigative Reporters and Editorial Security
Center for Investigative Journalism
Press Freedom Committee   
‘Access-info’ Center