JOURNALISM NGOs CONDEMN GAGAUZIA AUTHORITIES’ ATTEMPTS TO RESTRICT ACTIVITIES OF JOURNALISTS

Several non-governmental organizations working in the sphere of the mass media condemned the attempts by the Gagauzia Executive Committee [government] “to restrict the professional activities of journalists by creating arbitrary mechanisms that condition the activities of the online press with the approval of the authorities of the autonomy.”

The NGOs demanded in their Statement issued on Monday to immediately withdraw the legislative initiative, which they believe contradicts the Constitution of Moldova and international treaties.

According to the social activists, “obtaining a permitting act from the authorities of Gagauzia for the activities of electronic media is a violation of the constitutional right to freedom of expression.” The provisions of the bill, developed by the Gagauzia Executive Committee “go beyond the scope of regulation of the local law “On Television and Radio Broadcasting” and contradict state legislation (Article 32 of the Constitution, Law No. 64/2010 on freedom of expression).”

The Statement was signed by the Center for Independent Journalism, the Acces-Info Center, the Electronic Press Association, the Independent Press Association, RISE Moldova, the Center for Investigative Journalism, the Association of Journalists in the Field of Ecology and Tourism, the Media Guard Association and the Committee for Freedom of the Press.