Media NGOs condemn pressures on journalists during election campaign

The media NGOs in Moldova made public a joint statement on Tuesday, June 12, expressing their protest about the police abuse against the staffers of “Euro TV Chisinau” channel. According to the signatories, the journalists of “Euro TV Chisinau” found after the first round of elections 8 stamped ballots near the building of the TV station. After they informed about the violation of the electoral legislation, the police have entered by force on June 8 in the headquarters of the TV station, displaying an aggressive behaviour towards the employees of the station. Instead of treating with respect the journalists who informed about the violations and starting legal proceedings on the case, the police officers resorted to pressures on the representatives of “Euro TV Chisinau”. The NGOs warn that such an inappropriate behaviour of the law enforcing bodies is concerning, as the abuses of these bodies have become a “rule” lately. The signatories request the Ministry of Internal Affairs to undertake fast and efficient actions to guarantee the legality of the police officers’ actions. The joint statement is signed by the Independent Journalism Centre, Independent Press Association, Electronic Press Association APEL, Committee for Free Press, Investigative Journalism Centre, Journalists Union of Moldova.