International media NGOs demand justice in Moldovan journalist case
The international media organizations are reacting on the case of the Moldovan journalist Victoria Ocara, working for Jurnal TV channel who reported head injuries after a man threw a stone and hit her while she was performing her duties.
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemned the physical attack on the journalist.
“I hope that the Moldovan authorities bring the attacker to justice,” SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said. “Journalists have a right to work without fear of attack, even in conflict situations.”
The perpetrator was recorded on a video, identified and already detained.
The Moldovan media outlets and NGOs also demanded justice in regard with this case.
“We tumultuously condemn the attack with stones on Victoria Ocara during the events in Balti when the journalist was hospitalized with head injuries. We demand the Ministry of Interior to investigate the case and to make public the investigation results, while the perpetrator to be punished accordingly,” the Moldovan media organizations said in a joint appeal.
The journalists ask for more security while performing their duties. They say that freedom of speech is not guaranteed in Moldova anymore because “any person carrying stones can violate the legal norms.”
It is to note that people clashed with riot police in the northern city of Balti few days ago. There were two groups which have organized counter-protests. The first one – Action 2012 – marched in the city demanding reunification with Romania, while the second group – members of the Socialist Party and Communist Party – aggressively protested against the reunification.
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