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The “Journalists of the Year” awards gala, which takes place every December, and the Press Freedom Days, organized every May, have become a signature of the Independent Journalism Center.
Historically, the IJC started as a project of the Open World Program. Later, it became an independent organization, and currently it has the status of private institution. But regardless of its organizational forms, the IJC has always been in the service of the journalistic community. Its main mission has been to contribute to strengthening free press in Moldova, by means of educating journalists and citizens, media advocacy campaigns, research and, in no small measure, promotion of professional standards and strict norms of ethics in the journalistic community.
“The Independent Journalism Center appeared at a time when many of us didn’t exactly know what independent journalism is. Nor did we know where to learn it. The IJC offered a lot of opportunities to learn real journalism, from the rich library in the basement, to numerous professional development courses in Moldova and abroad, to debates on the quality of journalism,” says Alina Radu, director of the Ziarul de Garda newspaper.
Referring to that time, Angela Sarbu, one of the Center’s founders, said: “We wanted the Independent Journalism Center to become a place where the journalists who do their job well or those willing to learn professional standards could find support. I hope that in those 20 years we managed to help journalists when they needed it – whether by legal aid, scholarships or schooling.” The idea stroke root and the IJC soon became not only the preferred meeting place for the journalistic community, but also a promoter of a new model of politically neutral press.
One of the first IJC services was training. By its means, journalists all over the country, including Gagauzia and the Transnistrian region, joined efforts around some common professional problems. Training topics varied depending on the requests and needs of mass media at different times. The IJC carried out legal training and online journalism programs, organized summer schools, discussion clubs on the most current issues concerning the media, trained mixed teams of journalists, where journalists from both banks of River Nistru worked on the same topics and learned to collaborate, being guided by the same professional norms. Also, the IJC has always been very close to the local press.
Tudor Iascenco, editor-in-chief of the Cuvantul newspaper, confirms: “In all positive changes that occurred over the past two decades in Moldovan mass media, the Independent Journalism Center played one of the main roles, including direct participation in the creation and development of the Association of Independent Press (AIP), training and education of journalists, promotion of professional ethics, protection of the rights of this community and of the freedom of speech, improvement of the legislation on mass media and access to information. In saying it, I am judging from the history of the ‘Cuvantul’ regional weekly newspaper and of other AIP publications, which overcame all difficulties and strengthened their positions on the media market largely due to the disinterested support of the IJC.”
At a time when abuses against journalists were an issue, the IJC opened a legal aid service. The professional competence that the IJC lawyers showed over the years and the fact that this service has always been provided for free guaranteed a constant interest in it, which is still there.
In this context, Ziarul de Garda Director Alina Radu says: “We learned and grew together, and now we actually can’t imagine what Moldovan journalism would look like without the two decades of the IJC works. And since journalism is a living organism that is constantly changing, I wish the IJC to keep in pace with changes and to continue professionally developing the media. Also, on behalf of ‘Ziarul de Garda’ – thank you for the legal support provided in the ten years of constant lawsuits.”
For two decades, the IJC has been educating and gathering an entire network of media experts. Ion Bunduchi, executive director of the Electronic Press Association (APEL), is one of those who always maintained close collaboration with the IJC, being the co-author of the IJC researches and partner in the implementation of some joint projects. We asked him how he sees the IJC in the context of the civil society in Moldova. “I believe that the main achievement of the IJC in these two decades has been its unreserved advocacy for democratic journalism in our country,” the expert says, and he also supports it with the following arguments: “I am thinking here about the ‘Mass Media…’ magazine (which is more than all our allegedly scientific works, because they – scientific articles/doctor’s theses, etc. – have been largely based on the data in the magazine); the School of Advanced Journalism (normal journalism, like in all good world); the free legal aid for mass media; the ‘Golden Apple’ awards, of which I said and keep saying: Dear journalists, don’t let the state give you awards, because it doesn’t know what you’re doing – let your community do it, since it is the one who knows what you’re doing and how you’re doing it; the credible studies and researches in the field – relevant for those interested inside and outside; etc.”
In his turn, AIP Executive Director Petru Macovei sees the IJC as a strategic partner. “The best things that we did for the journalistic community over the years are the ones that we did together. I believe that our organizations – the IJC and the AIP – represent the necessary expertise in the NGO sector in order to improve the work of media NGOs,” he says. In his opinion, “the IJC is an absolutely necessary structure for the professional development of Moldovan media and, in no small measure, it is being achieved through the School of Advanced Journalism, which is a newer project that in a short time proved to be very useful, being an opportunity for professional journalism in our country.”
At its 20th anniversary, the Independent Journalism Center has a remarkable past. But it also has grand plans ahead. “We have done a lot, but we still have work to do, because, despite some changes, Moldova is still a country where journalists face lots of challenges. We will keep supporting journalists in the fight for their rights and in creation of normal conditions for the press,” Angela Sarbu says.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, IJC! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DEAR FELLOW JOURNALISTS!
Photo gallery: from the IJC archives
