The openness of state institutions to journalists is still reduced. This is the finding of the team of the independent investigative weekly “Ziarul de Garda” (ZDG), which on April 19 summed up the results of the project “Promotion of transparency and accountability of the Government”. Officials in charge of the press services of public institutions were invited to the event, but only three representatives came, IPN reports.
According to the ZDG editor-in-chief Aneta Grosu, the fact that most of those responsible for relations with the media were absent from the conference reveals the level of openness, transparency and responsibility of state institutions.
Victor Mosneag, the newspaper’s deputy editor-in-chief, spoke about the openness of the National Anticorruption Center and the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) when he conducted three journalistic investigations. Some of the public servants are very open when they are contacted by the press, like deputy prosecutor general Mircea Rosioru, who was every time rather receptive.
On the other hand, deputy prosecutor general Igor Popa, when Victor Mosneag carried out an investigation about the diploma of Kiril Gaburici, asked the journalist to make an inquiry with detailed questions, but these were later answered evasively. However, the situation as regards the access to information at the Prosecutor’s Office is better than at other law enforcement agencies, stated Victor Mosneag.
Attending the event, Mircea Rosioru said the administration of the Prosecutor General’s Office decided to ensure an open dialogue with representatives of the media, realizing the impact that the mass media have on society. According to him, the facts that are interpreted by the media and are not clarified are not to the benefit of the PGO. The journalistic content referring to functionaries of the PGO is analyzed by a specialized subdivision. As a result of media investigations, internal, even criminal inquiries were launched at the institution.
Alina Zbanca, adviser to the minister of the interior, said the institution she represents is trying to eliminate the bureaucratic procedure that makes the journalists wait for 15 days to get an answer when this can be offered in several hours.
Ana Marchitan, press officer of the Border Police, noted that the institution she represents is very open to journalists. Information about what is going on at the border is provided daily and responses to the questions put by journalists are given swiftly.
The project “Promotion of transparency and accountability of the Government” was implemented during a year and a half within a project financed by the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy.
