NGOs CALL JOURNALISTS NOT TO SELL THEMSELVES TO POLITICIANS

Seven profiled non-governmental organizations have urged the Moldovan mass media and individual journalists to be driven in their activities by the law and ethical norms and to take no part in campaigns to promote this or that politician.

The NGOs' Joint Statement also contained an appeal to election contestants and their supporters to treat journalists and media outlets with respect and to abstain from insulting them.

"If someone is discontented with how journalists do their job, they may address to the Press Council or the Audiovisual Council that will consider one's complaint and will take measures", the non-governmental organizations wrote, and provided a number of instances of how journalists were intimidated in the course of the ongoing election campaign.

The NGOs addressed also to the media, urging them to behave impartially and honestly, and to cover election events objectively.

The Joint Statement was signed by the Independent Journalism Center, the Independent Press Association, the Electronic Press Association, the Journalist Investigation Center, the Committee for Press Freedom, the Association of Independent TV Journalists, and the Acces-Info Center.