Investigative journalists found professional club

Investigative reporters in Moldova have created their professional Club. The first meeting of the Investigative Journalists Club took place on April 12. Cornelia Cozonac, chairman of the Investigative Journalism Centre (IJC) said that the Club aims to be initially a debate forum, and subsequently it will be given a status based on proposals by journalists who will join it. She said that the organisation aims at helping journalists, contributing to the increase of their professional level in the field of investigative journalism, to offer support in making unbiased and professional investigations. The organisers hope that a real dialogue will be initiated between the journalists and representatives of law enforcement bodies within the debates. Cozonac also said that in Moldova, a great part of the investigations are left without reaction by those who should do so. Or, in some cases, there are reactions but they are different to those expected in a democratic society, including the pressures against journalists, bringing them before court, etc. Dorina Osipov, Director Executive of the project, told Info-Prim Neo that the goal of the action is to promote the investigative journalism in Moldova. Within the Club, investigative journalists will be able to work together, analyse and debate certain investigative cases. Usually, when an investigative report appears in the press, the consumers wonder at whose command the investigation was made. In case journalists from several press bodies will collaborate at the same investigation, these suppositions will disappear, she said. The cited source mentioned that legal assistance will be provided to investigative reporters, on the only condition that they give the report to lawyers before publishing it in order to exclude the possibility of lawsuits. The project is financed by the Open Society Institute through Soros-Moldova Foundation and is planned for a one year term.