The Press Council of Moldova called upon the journalists and cameramen not to film reports in reanimatology wards of medical institutions. The Council conducted an investigation after a report about small kids with burns and scalds was broadcast on a public TV channel, IPN reports.

In a meeting of the Press Council, chairwoman Ludmila Andronic said the report was aimed at raising awareness and warning the parents about accidents at home. The activity should be encouraged, but such situations must be treated with maximum responsibility. The filming in reanimatology wards violates persons’ rights to private life and dignity.

Council member Inga Burlacu said that the journalists’ professional deontology requires respecting the intimacy of persons and asking for their permission to film in such situations. The journalists must not provide morbid details about tragic situations. Furthermore, strict hygiene rules must be respected in the reanimatology wards so as not to endanger the child’s life.

Veronica Istrati, head of the Health Ministry’s Information and Communication Service, underlined the necessity of working out regulations concerning mass media representatives’ access to medical institutions with special regime. The Press Council will invite the Health Ministry to contribute to the formulation of such regulations.