Declaration of Media NGOs: The Law Guarantees Journalists’ Right To Obtain and Disseminate Information

Media NGOs are protesting against the restriction of journalists’ right to information at the office of the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) on Wednesday, January 13, when they came for information about the meeting of the Political Bureau of the PDM and about the announcement of the party’s candidate for prime minister of Moldova. While journalists were waiting for PDM representatives to come with declarations, they found themselves closed in the PDM office while the party’s leaders left the building in order to avoid questions from the media.

We are condemning these actions and we consider them serious violations of the current legislation and antidemocratic deviations. We shall remind that according to the Law on access to information, every person has the right “to seek, receive and disseminate official information.” Also, the law on the media guarantees journalists’ right to obtain and disseminate information, while the Criminal Code stipulates that intentional restriction of the media activities is punishable according to the law.

We are asking the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova to take notice of this case and to take relevant measures towards the persons who restricted journalists’ access to information. At the same time, we are asking the Democratic Party of Moldova to investigate the situation with the application of interdictions to representatives of the media, to inform the public about the measures taken and to exclude such violations in the future.

Independent Journalism Center
Association of Independent Press
Association of Electronic Press of Moldova
“Acces-Info” Center
Young Journalist’ Center of Moldova
Association of  Independent TV Journalists
Committee of Press Freedom
Center of Journalistic Investigations