The media NGOs vehemently condemn the abusive and illegal actions of the employees of the General Carabineer Inspectorate against journalists. They issued a Statement after a reporter of Jurnal TV, while at the protest in front of the Parliament Building on December 16, suffered as a result of the use of teargas  by police officers, alongside a un cameraman of Pro TV channel.

“The use of teargas against journalists while they are informing the citizens about issues of public interest, whose behavior didn’t represent a danger to public order and security in any way, is an illegal practice that undermines the freedom of the press,” runs the statement that is quoted by IPN.

The signatory organizations note that such violations cannot be tolerated and call on Minister of Home Affairs Pavel Voicu, in virtue of his legal powers, to take note of the committed violations and to make approaches to ascertain and penalize the actions of the police and to also present public information about the taken measures.

Under the law on the freedom of expression, the state guarantees the freedom of expression of the mass media and no one can ban or prevent the media from disseminating information of public interest if only in accordance with the law. Moreover, the illegal intentional hampering of the reporters on the job carries penalties.