Silvia Radu Sets Conditions for Communication of Mayor’s Office Employees with Journalists

On November 22, Silvia Radu, recently appointed as interim mayor of Chisinau, issued a disposition obliging the employees from the Mayor’s Office administration to communicate with the press only through the Public Relations Department. She asserts that this will ensure efficient communication with the media and will help timely inform the citizens of the activities of the Mayor’s Office.

According to the disposition, both the convocation of public events (press conferences, briefings, statements) and the issuing of official press releases by the local public administration authorities of Chisinau Municipality are the exclusive prerogative of the Public Relations Department of the Mayor’s Office.

Besides, companies providing public services, such as the water supplier Apa-Canal Chisinau, Chisinau Electric Transportation Department, the City Bus Depot, or LUMTEH Electric and Lighting Networks, will organize public events and issue official press releases with the prior coordination of the Public Relations Department at least 6 hours before they start.

Radio Chisinau has written, referring to Silvia Radu, that journalists will be able to communicate with the administration of the Mayor’s Office, but first they should discuss the issue with the Public Relations Department and reach the requested person through it.

The interim mayor has justified her disposition after Alexandru Fleas, the interim head of the Department of Education, Youth, and Sports, convened a press conference regarding a kindergarten in the capital.

According to the current legislation, public employees may express the official opinion of a public authority only if they are authorized to do so according to the established procedures.