Non-governmental media organizations condemn the practice of online intimidation of journalists who exercise their professional mission of informing the public about the protests organized by the “Shor” party and call on law enforcement bodies to hold criminally responsible the perpetrators of murder threats against journalists, writes the Independent Journalism Center (IJC).

On 23 October, TV reporter Viorica Tataru became the target of murder threats from a social network user. In the private message, addressed to the journalist, the man whose profile is identified by the name Costea Gorpin threatened the reporter that she would be killed for the questions she asks to the participants of the protests organized by the Sor Party – “You will get a bullet in the head from someone with your questions”.

The reporters of Ziarul de Gardă are also among the victims of online threats. Following the publication of an investigation into the protests organised by the “Șor” Party, journalists were threatened with beheading – “ну критика ка асыц таи шинева капу отвечаю за базар”. “адааа ребитишки ва таем капу реально дила гытицы”. (Don’t criticize, or someone will cut your head off. My word. Yes, little children, we’ll cut your heads off at the neck for real.”)

“The signatory organisations condemn these unacceptable practices, highlighting the increased danger of their entrenchment and perpetuation online. According to the Law on Freedom of Expression, the state guarantees the freedom of expression of the press, and unlawful hindering of media activity attracts criminal liability. At the same time, we would like to point out that the threat of murder or of serious bodily harm or injury to health, including through the use of a computer system, is a criminal offence.

The signatory organisations vehemently condemn the perpetrators’ illegal actions against the press and point out that it is unacceptable to tolerate such violations. We call on the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with their legal powers, to take note of the acts committed and to initiate the procedures provided for by law in order to hold the perpetrators of the threats responsible,” the statement reads.

The signatory organisations:

Independent Journalism Centre
Association of Environmental and Environmental Tourism Journalists
Media Guard Association
Electronic Press Association
Independent Press Association
Access-Info Centre
Centre for Investigative Journalism
Committee for Press Freedom RISE Moldova