Media NGOs: We demand MP Vladimir Hotineanu of the DPM to resign as Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Media following his aggressive behaviour against a reporter of Jurnal TV

Non-governmental media organizations condemn the aggression against journalists and restriction of their right to information, as well as attempts by some dignitaries to intimidate media representatives when they try to investigate issues related to corruption, power abuse and other issues of public interest.

Thus, according to the report „Properties of MP Hotineanu“ broadcasted on Jurnal TV on Saturday, June 17, 2017, the reporter in charge of the story tried to ask Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Mass-media Vladimir Hotineanu some questions. However, instead of answering, the MP of the DPM manhandled and verbally assaulted the journalist, calling him a „moron“. 

We condemn such actions and qualify them as abusive taking into account the dignity involved by the public office of Member of Parliament. We regret that we must remind a MP that the Law on Press gives media representatives the right to obtain and disseminate information of public interest, and that the Criminal Code stipulates sanctions „for deliberate hindering of media and journalists’ work“.

We consider these attempts at intimidating journalists are incompatible with the status of Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Culture, Education, Research, Youth, Sports and Mass Media. Consequently, we demand the Member of the Parliament Vladimir Hotineanu to resign the office as Chair of this Committee and apologize for his unacceptable behaviour.

At the same time, we appeal to the Democratic Party leadership to take a stand on this case and undertake measures to call to account its members in order to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

Independent Journalism Center
Association of Independent TV Journalists
Center of Journalistic Investigations
Association of Independent Press
Association of Electronic Press
“Acces-Info” Center