The Independent Journalism Center, the Association of Independent Press, the Electronic Press Association and Media Guard Association express their concern about the dissemination of speculations that discredit the team of TV8 channel and about the hate speech against journalists of this media outlet and against other media professionals of the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports.

“As a result of the conflict of interest declared by Natalia Morari, former member of the Administration Board of the public association “Media Alternativa” and founder of TV8 channel, and also of postings published by her on the social network Facebook, from which TV8 dissociated itself completely and categorically, the team of this channel became the target of denigrating messages against it, especially in the social media. Some of the users of social networking sites and also former or current politicians made defamatory accusations against all the male and female journalists of this TV channel and other media outlets, using unsubstantiated speculations, injury and statements that harm the honor, dignity and professional reputation,” says a press release of the four media NGOs.

The organizations ascertain with concern that this case is exploited by persons controlled by different controversial politicians and businessmen involved in illegalities so as to discredit and incite hatred against journalists in the Republic of Moldova in general and against independent journalism and investigative journalism in particular.

“The signatory organizations transmit a message of solidarity with all the male and female journalists of the country, who obey the professional ethical values and the Journalist’s Deontological Code of the Republic of Moldova. We call on the users of social networking sites and consumers of media products to keep a civilized language in relation to journalists and to learn to make a difference between honest journalist who work to correctly inform the public, who reveal illegal corruption schemes and those who promote particular interests under the screen of journalism. We ask to exclude hate speech and messages that stigmatize female journalists from public speech,” noted the NGOs.