It is difficult to do the job when lawmakers keep the distance

I remember the time when I was a political reporter, before the Parliament building was vandalized. We had free access to the meeting hall of Parliament; I could follow closely the debates that took place, pay attention to what the lawmakers were saying, try to understand their reasons for voting for or against a bill. Today, it is impossible to do so. By watching the images on the two screens in the press room, the journalists cannot figure out the interests the lawmakers had in mind when voting in a certain way. The journalists have no chance to get an impression about the undercurrents in the meeting hall; they can only guess what is really going on there.
 
Although I have not attended Parliament meetings for some time, I would assume that it is quite difficult to do your job as a journalist while being kept away from the lawmakers. It is unfortunate that the MPs forget about something of crucial importance, namely that they are there to service the people, that they are paid from the public budget. It implies greater accountability, both to the people and to the media. If they claim being pro-European and democratic, they should treat the press as the fourth power in the state rather than as a 'Cinderella'.

NOTE: the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) holds awareness raising events under the slogan “We Want Access into Parliament” on all days when Parliament holds plenary meetings. The Campaign aims to ensure free access of the media to Parliament meetings, so that the media can freely perform their duties.
 
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The We Want into Parliament! campaign is conducted within the Advocacy Campaigns Aimed at Improving Transparency of Media Ownership, Access to Information and Promotion of EU Values and Integration project, implemented by the IJC, which is, in its turn, part of the Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society project, implemented by FHI 360.

Photo from the personal files of Elena Robu