The Press Council ascertained the violation by Prime TV channel, in the talk show “Moldova Speaks”, edition “Who got Marina pregnant?, of the deontological provisions that oblige journalists to protect the identity of minors involved in events with a negative undertone. In its November 23 meeting, the members of the Press Council examined a complaint filed by the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention concerning the given program, IPN reports.
The National Center for Child Abuse Prevention said serious violation of children’s rights were committed in the program. There were published the personal data of the child in a situation of vulnerability, with relatives being presented and interviewed (which can help identify the child), and provided specific and intimate details (information about personal hygiene, sexual relations with other persons). In general, the child victim was labeled and blamed. The program caused serious emotional damage to the girl and encroached upon her private life.
The Press Council established that Prime TV violated a number of articles of the Journalist’s Deontological Code that refer to the accuracy of the presented information, protection of minors and victims and recommended the producers of “Moldova Speaks” to instruct the employees how to treat subjects that involve children without violating their rights. At the same time, the Press Council requested the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection to open an internal inquiry into the provision of confidential information about the victim’s state by medical staff, which is against the professional deontology of doctors. The Council also requested the Ombudsman’s Office, in particular the ombudswoman for the protection of children’s rights, to pronounce on this case that violates the child’s rights.
In the same meeting, the Press Council examined the complaint of Amnesty International Moldova against the channels Publika TV, Prime TV, Canal 3 and the website Telegraph.md, which misinformed about a press conference-demonstration staged by the organization in connection with the expulsion of the Turkish teachers from Moldova. In the news article, the journalists accuse the NGO of being politically affiliated and of using children for political purposes. The Press Council ascertained that the article was presented disproportionately and the TV reports lacked informative elements, while some of the information wasn’t based on facts. No distinction was made between facts and opinions and the opinion of a side that was presented in a negative context was absent.
Examining a complaint filed by the mayor and councilors of Drochia own against the periodical Drochia Reporter, where the first complained their honor and dignity were harmed in an article placed on the website, the Press Council reached the conclusion that the article is an opinion one, but wasn’t marked correspondingly. However, even in case of opinion articles, the journalists have deontological obligations and these were violated by the author. The Council underlined these violations and formulated recommendations for the editorial staff of Drochia Reporter.
The Press Council’s meeting of November 23 was the last one in the current composition as the terms in office of the Council members expires. A public contest to choose new members for the next two years will be announced the coming weeks.
