Keeping the press "n the fold" helps the lawmakers to avoid the disturbing questions of the journalists

When Parliament meetings were held at the Palace of the Republic, we, the accredited journalists, were unhappy about the space assigned to the press, as we were separated from the lawmakers by stanchions. I thought things would change after the renovation of the Parliament building. It has not happened though. It is more difficult now to get reliable information – virtually nobody really knows what is being said in the meeting hall, how the lawmakers work and what they actually work on. 
 
It is guesswork every time: based on the number of votes, we try to identify which factions have supported or not a particular bill. However, images are important for television news. When it comes to news from Parliament, the images look like carbon copies. That's because cameramen do not even have access to "protocol images".

It is quite common to learn about some details of the discussions after the meeting adjourns, from the statements made by some MPs who are kind enough to come to the press room and answer our questions.

In most cases, this information is disclosed by the opposition. This might be the reason why it seems that the ruling MPs deliberately avoid the media and withhold certain things, out of fear of criticism. It is also disturbing that sometimes, when Cabinet members and heads of the institutions subordinated to Parliament are invited to attend Parliament meetings, they choose to avoid the media by entering the building through back-doors.

Unfortunately, the pro-European parties always talk about media freedom and transparency, but never actually take any steps to prove their commitment to democratic values.

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 Nicoleta's personal files; author: Mircea Zatushevschi