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Media NGOs Call For Observance of the Rights of Journalists Working in Public Space

12 October 2017
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Non-governmental media organizations condemn the abuse committed by the people who stopped two journalists of Ziarul de Garda newspaper (ZdG) from filming in the public space in the area where the Global Business Center (GBC) is located, which is known to belong to Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc.

Thus, according to ZdG, on Wednesday, October 11, two of its journalists, who were filming a report on a street near the GBC, were asked by the GBC security staff to leave that area and look for another place to film, motivating their request by the fact that the building is private property. The journalists were threatened they would have problems if photo or video footage were made public.
Media NGOs call for observance of the rights of the journalists who work in public spaces.

It should be mentioned that through the Law on the press the state guarantees protection of the honor and dignity of journalists, protects their health, life and goods. The Law on freedom of expression stipulates that the right to respect for private and family life “does not extend to information about private and family life spread with the express or tacit consent of the person or obtained in public places when the person cannot reasonably count on privacy.”
We remind that deliberate prevention of activities of the media or of a journalist is an act contrary to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova.

We ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) to investigate this case and to take proper measures against those who prevented ZdG journalists from filming in the space near the GBC building. We ask the MIA to inform the public about the measures taken against those who caused this incident and about the results of the actions taken.
We ask the legal authorities of Moldova to ensure respect for the rights and security of reporters, including around buildings belonging to politicians or business people.
 
Independent Journalism Center
Association of Independent Press
Electronic Press Association APEL
Journalistic Investigations Center
Association of Independent TV Journalists
“Acces-Info” Center