Press freedom 2009

Starting at the end of November, Moldovan newspaper Ziarul de Garda (ZdG) published four articles about corruption at Chisinau railway station, in the Moldovan capital. Since then, the journalists involved in the investigation and the newspaper's editorial staff have been threatened.

The threats have been posted through the Ziarul de Garda website and anonymous phone calls have been made to the editorial staff urging the journalists to immediately stop the investigation on corruption since it could be extremely dangerous for them and their families if they continued and stating that it was known who the journalists were and where they came from.

Journalists at Chisinau railway station continuing the investigation were stopped by unknown persons and then threatened on the spot.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: "SEEMO strongly condemns the threats directed at the journalists of Ziarul de Garda. Intimidating journalists and forcing them to censor themselves so that they are unable to carry out their work properly is not acceptable."

Vujovic added: "Threats against investigative journalists have a negative effect on democracy and the development of independent and professional journalism. Companies that are vital for the functioning of the community, such as the railway station, should be open in communicating with the media and investigative journalists must be able to report freely on matters of public concern. SEEMO urges the Moldovan authorities and the management of the railway station to respect freedom of expression and opinion, and to ensure that investigative journalists are not threatened for exercising their right to report."