Non-governmental media organizations condemn the illegal behavior of several participants in the protest organized by the Şor Party. Protesters verbally and physically assaulted at least three journalists who were exercising their mission of informing citizens about events of public interest. Signatory organizations call on law enforcement agencies to sanction the aggressors.

During the coverage of the protest on October 23, TV8 reporter Viorica Tataru, journalist Andrei Captarenco, as well as the cameraman of the Center for Investigative Journalism, Marin Bogonovschi, became the target of intimidation, insulting approaches, and insults from some participants in the rally. This inappropriate behavior of the protesters manifested itself in verbal and physical harassment, insults, and threats to the representatives of the media.

The signatory organizations condemn such unacceptable behavior, emphasizing that the actions of the rally participants constitute a violation of the right to bodily integrity of the person, individual freedom, safety, and infringe the special rights guaranteed to journalists. We remind you that these are not the only cases when participants in the protests organized by the Şor Party defy the rules of law by attacking journalists.

We note that, according to the Law on Freedom of Expression, the state guarantees the freedom of expression of the press, and the intentional illegal obstruction of the media's activity attracts criminal liability. At the same time, we emphasize that the threat of harming bodily integrity or health, insulting, as well as insulting the person in public places constitute acts criminalized by the legislation.

The signatory organizations vehemently condemn the illegal actions of the aggressors, directed against the media, and signal the inadmissibility of tolerating such violations.

We ask the legal bodies of the Republic of Moldova to take note of the committed acts and initiate the procedures provided by law to hold the aggressors accountable.

Centrul pentru Jurnalism Independent

Asociația Presei Electronice

Asociaţia Presei Independente

Centrul  „Acces-Info”

Centrul de Investigații Jurnalistice

Comitetul pentru Libertatea Presei 

RISE Moldova