The European Federation of
Journalists (EFJ), the European network of the International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) today accused Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc of
"intolerance" over the ruling party's call for an
official boycott of media in a dispute over coverage of his
government's work.
The dispute is focused on
the work of two networks -- Realitatea TV and Antena 3 -- which
the Prime Minister has accused of not giving the government an opportunity to
reply to critical reports.
"The actions of the
Prime Minister illustrate a degree of intolerance that is chilling for press
freedom," said EFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "Romania is
supposed to follow European standards and must not get itself caught up in
actions that try to limit the freedom of media to investigate and criticise
government. Journalists are entitled and required to
monitor politicians whether they like it or not."
According to reports,
Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc wrested the microphone from a
reporter working for the private network Realitatea TV and then publicly
accused the network of "misinforming and distorting Romanian
reality". He also claimed that both Realitatea TV and a second network
Antena 3 failed to take account of official statements in their reporting
on many governments' departments. He said he had been
"disturbed" by the fact that the government's spokeswoman was not
allowed to exercise a right of reply.
Shortly after this
incident, the ruling party (PDL) announced that no member of the party should
participate in Realitatea TV and Antena 3 programmes anymore.
The EFJ has joined
its Romanian affiliate, the Federation of Romanian Journalists MediaSind,
in deploring the stance of the Prime Minister. "This
official boycott
amounts to censorship which is unacceptable under democratic rule," added
White. "It also
bodes ill for the pluralism in Romania
media."
The
IFJ, which receives funding for humanitarian aid to victims of violence against
journalists from the Brussels-based Vintu Foundation, which was established by
the owners of Realitatea TV, says that the Prime Minister should make his
complaints about coverage in a formal and professional manner and not get
involved in physical confrontations with reporters.
For more
information contact the EFJ at +32 2 235 2215
The EFJ represents over 250,000
journalists in over 30 European countries
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- EFJ Backs Romanian Journalists in Row Over Prime Minister's Attack on Media