Media NGOs Repeatedly Condemn Speeches Intimidating Journalists by Ion Ceban, Chisinau Municipality Mayor

Non-governmental media organizations repeatedly condemn journalist intimidation by Ion Ceban, Chisinau Municipality Mayor, manifested by attacking and insulting journalists, as well as by using administrative resources for undermining the freedom of the press.

During the meeting of Chisinau Mayor’s Office services held on December 9, the mayor of the capital again dedicated part of his speech to the press, insulting several journalists and vloggers from the Mayor’s Office tribune. This is not the first breach of this sort committed by Ion Ceban. He has already previously intimidated the press, including during the weekly Mayor’s Office meetings (in December 2023, February 2024, and March 2023).

We hereby condemn Ion Ceban’s inadequate attitude inappropriate for a person holding a public post. We repeatedly and insistently address the mayor demanding to abandon this deviant behavior.

We request Mayor Ion Ceban to use decent and appropriate language, avoiding any sorts of intolerance towards journalists, media outlets, or vloggers.

We hereby urge journalists and vloggers who have become targets of such hostile speeches to use all available legal resources to obtain recognition, to obtain compensation for the damage suffered, and to promptly bring the author of the attacks and offensive labels to justice.

Within the limits of available resources, the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) offers assistance and legal consultations to journalists and media outlets, supporting the efforts aimed at protecting the freedom of the press and defending the public’s right to stay correctly informed.

Independent Journalism Center

Independent Press Association

Acces-Info Center

Committee for Freedom of the Press

Center for Journalistic Investigations

Electronic Press Association

Association of Environmental and EcoTourism Journalists

MEDIA-GUARD Association