Journalistic Investigations Center

04.05.2012 / On Thursday, 3 May, six media organisations from Moldova launched the “Press Freedom Days” at a joint press conference. On this occasion they presented a Memorandum regarding the freedom of the press in Moldova between 3 May 2011 and 3 May 2012 and the agenda of activities for the month of May.

The statement signatories noted that the media situation in Moldova has seen some good changes over the last two years, a fact noticed both by international press freedom indexes, which place our country several positions higher than in previous years, and by local studies on the activity of national media. Nevertheless, according to the statement signatories, the situation is not so good as to have a truly free press, serving citizens.

Referring to the meaning of the day of 3 May, Liliana Vitu-Esanu, Interim Director of the Independent Journalism Centre (IJC) mentioned that it is not just an opportunity to see some accomplishments, but also to discuss the problems faced by journalists at media outlets. “Economic freedom and financial independence are essential elements, necessary for a journalist and an editorial office to shape an editorial policy focused on the problems of the public, and not on the interests of certain groups on which they depend. Media ownership transparency is another problem expecting to be brought to light.”

In the same context, Ion Bunduchi, Director of the Electronic Press Association (APEL), mentioned that “we still have a long way to go to have a free press, and for it we need, first of all, good laws, competent managers, and professional journalists.”

Cornelia Cozonac, Director of the Journalistic Investigations Centre, declared at the event that “the several positions gained in international indexes need to be maintained, and it is possible only with joint efforts of journalists. Today, journalists still have difficulties when obtaining information of public interest, especially when use of public money is an issue.”

Also, 3 May is an opportunity to remind about the meaning of the work of journalists and about its risks: “In 2011, 64 journalists lost lives, and before 1 May 2012 – 12 other,” noted Petru Macovei, Director of the Independent Press Association (API).

The world day of the freedom of the press has been celebrated yearly since 1993, when the UN General Assembly declared 3 May as the World Press Freedom Day.

Signatories of the Memorandum regarding the freedom of the press in Moldova between 3 May 2011 and 3 May 2012: the Independent Journalism Centre, the Independent Press Association, the Electronic Press Association, the Journalistic Investigations Centre, the Young Journalist Centre from Moldova, the Committee for Press Freedom.