Media NGOs condemn the bullying and the denial of access of TV8 journalists to a press conference organised by ‘Shor’ Political Party on 20 December this year.
Thus, TV8 reporter Sergiu Gavrilita initially was invited to the press conference and before the start of the event he was contacted by the party press officer, Alina Sargu, to register. However, when he arrived, his access was denied. Besides the fact that his access to the conference was denied, he was forced by the security officers to leave the building on the grounds that the room where the press conference was held was a private property.
The party’s press officer invoked TV8’s editorial policy as reason for denying his access.
Note that the selective admission of the media to public events is contrary to the national law and international standards.
We remind that journalists have the right to participate in public events, film, take photos, obtain and distribute information. According to Article 1801 of the Criminal Code, the deliberate obstruction of media activity can be subject to criminal liability.
We renew our calls to political parties and civil servants to show more openness to the press and to give up the segregation of journalists.
We demand that the law enforcement bodies act on their own initiative with respect to this case to hold liable the people who violated the legal rights of the journalist.
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