Petition for solving the issue of journalists' access to the Chamber of the Parliament

Petition to the
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
 
8 May 2014
 
TO: The Honorable the Speaker and Members of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
 
We the undersigned are asking that the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova find a prompt solution to the problem concerning the access of the media to the Parliament sessions and keep the many pledges made before. Limitation of journalists` access to the Parliament sessions and the obligation to report from a separate room lacking proper working conditions amount to a violation of the right to freedom of expression and the right to work. Moreover, this state of affairs violates the principle of transparency in decision making.
 
In the new Parliament`s building journalists are obliged to watch the parliamentary sessions on the screens installed in a separate room. Therefore, the cameramen are unable to film by themselves the sessions and taking shoots in the Parliament`s building is prohibited. They also have no possibility to control the camera angles. All these conditions prevent journalists from performing their job.
 
Earlier the leadership of Parliament and the leaders of Parliamentary Factions have pledged to find a solution for restoring the access of the press to plenum sessions. However, the promises did not materialize in concrete acts.
 
We deem the decision of Parliament to isolate the press as illegal and immoral. The right to freedom of expression is fundamental in a modern pluralist democracy being a promoter of the progress of the contemporary world. However subtle or evident, the violation of this right by the domestic Legislative that should be the guarantor and the model of legality is inacceptable in a democratic society. Though it often hardens the democratic governance the free press never indulges dictatorship.
 
Members of Parliament shall recall that they are in the service of the people and are paid from public money and that under the Constitution “the Parliament is the supreme representative body of the Moldovan people and the sole legislative authority in the state.” Citizens have the right to know the position/opinion of the Members of Parliament on particular subjects. In this context, only a direct access of the press to the Parliament session guaranties the right of citizens to public information and the transparency in the decision-making process.
 
In view of the above, we request that Parliament of the Republic of Moldova:

1. Create logistical conditions for the immediate access of the media to the Parliament sessions;
2. Guarantee the right of journalists to report freely on the activity of Parliament.