The Center for Independent Journalism (CJI), the Electronic Press Association (APEL) and the Access-Info Center issued a statement to express their concern about the latest suspension of licenses for six TV channels “in the absence of extensive explanations on the factual and legal circumstances that justify the restrictive measure”. The NGOs ask the authorities to publish without delay the arguments and evidence that led the Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE) to decide on suspending the licenses.

On Monday, the CSE suspended the licenses of the channels Orizont TV, ITV, Prime TV, Publika TV, Canal 2, and Canal 3 for the duration of the state of emergency. The CSE cited findings by the Audiovisual Council and the Security and Intelligence Service (SIS). In particular, SIS director Alexandru Musteata branded the content aired by the channels “a threat to the information security” of the country. Prime Minister Dorin Recean also declared that there was “evidence” showing the channels were pursuing “a foreign interest for destabilizing purposes”.

However, as the statement from the media NGOs points out, the CSE decree fails to provide any “serious, compelling, argument-based and duly proven reasons” for the suspension. It also fails to detail the “multiple violations of the legislation” as found by the SIS.

The signatory NGOs “recognize the need to implement urgent measures to ensure the information security of the state, but emphasize that restrictive measures must be substantiated by convincing arguments, clear evidence and implemented to an extent that ensures the exclusion of doubts regarding legality and the proportionality of interference”, the statement reads.