Vienna, 16/07/2008
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), expresses concern about an attack against Ghenadie Brega, acameraman for Eu TVin Chisinau, the capital of Moldova.
According to information before SEEMO, on 9 July, Ghenadie Brega accompanied to the prosecutor’s office an individual implicated in an inquiry into alleged Internet-based calls to overthrow the government. Upon his arrival at the building, Brega was verbally and physically attacked by a person in civilian clothing. The attacker told Brega to leave, and repeatedly struck at his camera, even though Brega identified himself as a journalist and explained that he had the right to film in the public building.
Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General, condemned the incident as undue interference with the journalist’s right to access information of public interest, and called for “an immediate investigation to identify the individual responsible for the attack.”