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Media NGOs Condemn the Restrictions and Attacks of Shor Party Representatives Against Journalists

29 November 2018
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Media NGOs are concerned about the denial of access of Jurnal TV journalists to a press conference organised by Shor Political Party.

Shor Party representatives denied the access of Jurnal TV camera crew at a press conference held on 27 November this year on the ground that they had no accreditation. Party spokeswoman Alina Sargu told Jurnal TV journalist Parascovia Spic, via a text message, that she was not allowed to be present at the event ‘as long as you are not an impartial media institution’.

During the conference itself, Party Vice-president Marina Tauber attacked another journalist. When the journalist asked about her residence permit, Jora de Mijloc Mayor accused the former of having been ‘paid out of the stolen billion’ to ask such a question.

Thus, Shor Party representatives repeatedly and flagrantly violate the rights of journalists. Note that the latter have the right to participate in public demonstrations, film, take photos, obtain and distribute information. In addition, the Criminal Code provides for sanctions for intentional obstruction to the activity of a media outlet.

Media NGOs regard such a behavior contrary to both national and international standards as unacceptable.

We renew our calls to political parties and civil servants to show more openness to the press and to give up attacks against journalists.

We call on law enforcement authorities to realise that such cases seriously affect media work and can create dangerous precedents. Note that law enforcement bodies are responsible for combating such behaviors.
 
Independent Journalism Center
Association of Independent Press
Association of Electronic Press
Center for Investigative Journalism
Press Freedom Committee 
Association of Independent TV Journalists 
‘Access-info’ Center
RISE Moldova