Romanian MP criticizes the authorities in Chisinau: “Instead of taking actions on disclosures made by journalists about corruption acts, officials are harassing them"

Anticoruptie.md
25/01/2017
Matei Dobrovie. Foto: Lucian Muntean

If in recent years Moldovan institutions have restricted independent journalists’ access to public information, now they are being harassed and threatened by representatives of the so-called pro-European power, reads a statement of Matei Dobrovie, MP of USR (Save Romania Union) in the Romanian Parliament. MP launched the appeal in solidarity with the journalist Mariana Rata from the Centre for Investigative Journalism, subjected to criminal proceedings initiated by prosecutors following a complaint lodged by Vladimir Botnari, former chief policeman of Chisinau, on the grounds that she has accessed personal data.

"Journalists from the Center for Investigative Journalism and Ziarul de Garda are intimidated by the authorities because they dare to write about unjustified wealth of state officials and civil servants. Under the pretext of confidentiality of personal data, investigative journalists are denied access to information and are summoned to the police and prosecution for statements. The most serious case is that of journalist Mariana Rata from the Center for Investigative Journalism which was heard at the prosecution in a criminal investigation, initiated upon request of the former chief policeman of Chisinau, Vladimir Botnari.  The criminal complaint filed by former chief policeman writes that she accessed and published personal data, (name and surname of family members and their properties which are higher than the declared incomes), reads the statement of the MP of USR.

Matei Dobrovie claims that instead of taking actions on disclosures made by journalists about corruption acts, officials are harassing them in order to find out how they obtained such information.  "Independent media in Moldova was already endangered because of difficult access to financing and advertising. After the radical change of Jurnal TV grid, broadcasting in Moldova is hyper dominated by oligarchy, with a market monopoly of oligarch Plahotniuc, who controls four out of five local TV channels. Moldovan media is also subject to financial control and influence of the Russian Federation. Moldovan population is subjected to a process of misinformation and intoxication from the regime Plahotniuc and is attacked by Russian propaganda. Romania and the EU should encourage independent media and file requests to authorities from Chisinau to cease harassment of journalists", said the MP.

So far, authorities have not expressed their stance on the case of journalist Mariana Rata. Contacted by Report.md and Unimedia.info, Justice Minister Vladimir Cebotari and President of the Parliamentary Committee for Media Vladimir Hotineanu hinted that journalists do not enjoy special protection.

On the other hand, representatives of several NGOs said in a press conference that this case proved the reluctance of the authorities to investigative journalism. "I am surprised that the so-called pro-European Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Parliament that has a pro-European majority, should be the first to worry about ensuring favorable legislative context for the activity of journalists, did not react in any way. This proves that the legislature and the government do not see this problem which in fact is a problem", said Petru Macovei, executive director of the Independent Press Association.

The article that has displeased Vladimir Botnari refers to his appointment as head of Security Directorate of Moldtelecom. He had been prosecuted for negligence during the events of 7 April 2009 that resulted in the death of Valeriu Boboc. Contacted by Anticoruptie.md portal, Vladimir Botnari confirmed then that he worked for Moldtelecom, but he declined to say details about his position. The reporter of the Center for Investigative Journalism filed in December 2016 a formal request to Moldtelecom to find out about employment conditions in this company and duties of Botnari, but did not get any reply. Persecutors will decide by January 27 over the criminal proceedings in this case.

Team of Center for Investigative Journalism in Moldova found that the number of cases of journalists’ intimidation, especially of investigative journalists and attempts to limit freedom of expression on behalf of civil servants has increased significantly in recent years.

 

 

Anticoruptie.md
25/01/2017




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