CHISINAU ACTING MAYOR RESTRICTS MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS’ COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRESS

Acting head of the municipal Department for transport and communication Oleg Poiata, who was asked to leave the Primaria sitting hall on Monday, said to journalists that Acting Chisinau Mayor Silvia Radu prohibited Primaria officials to speak to journalists without previous agreement with the municipal press service.

He said that the new Acting Mayor signed an order, which prohibits municipal officials to talk to press.

Commenting on this information, Silvia Radu said at the briefing after the municipal service sitting that from now on, any communication of Department officials with media representatives will be implemented only via press service and its head Vadim Brinzaniuc.

“Such decision was due to the recent press conference of officials of the Department for Education. They tried to justify themselves around the kindergarten #157 [where children were served with food with worms]. This is incorrect”, Radu said.

According to her, the communication with press is necessary, but should be conducted according to clear rules.

“Before, the press-service activity has mostly a formal character. Now, any inquiry should be directed to Mr. Brinzaniuc and municipal service officials can be contacted also only via him. This does not mean that the Primaria becomes a closed institution, we are always open for communication, but there should be order”, Radu said.

According to her, directors of municipal enterprises, who want to organize an event where they intend to invite press, should inform the Department for public relations not later than 6 hours before the event.