(eng) Press statement on Ziarul de Garda attack

 Illegal newspapers printed in a criminal way, containing the logo, the lettering, the names of headings of our editorial offices, but having inappropriate, manipulative and denigrating content for the image of the ZdG.

The editorial staff of the newspaper “Ziarul de Garda” (ZdG) was underwent an unprecedented image attack . Illegal newspapers printed in a criminal way, containing the logo, the lettering, the names of headings of our editorial offices, but having inappropriate, manipulative and denigrating content for the image of the ZdG have been distributed in Chisinau and other regions of the Republic of Moldova.

It concerns a publication in A3 paper format with the title ZdC – having a single letter changed (G replaced by C), which uses all the signs that ZdG has been using since July 2004, from the time of its establishment, including those from the Logo box: “Independent investigative weekly newspaper”, www.zdc.md”. Moreover, in the publication are used the permanent headings of the newspaper “Ziarul de Garda”, as well as the characteristic signs, including the title of the satire supplement of ZdG that in the original one is called “Circ in TramVai!” (Circus in Tramway), but in this publication was called “Circ in Troleibuz” (Circus in the Trolley).

The newspaper in question abounds in dirty political attacks over a party and in fact, the current mayor of Chisinau, also there it is promoted a positive image of two active members of the LDPM (Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova). Edition in question has only given false names of reporters and false editorial data, including the editorial address, phone numbers, e-mail. There is no accurate data on the editor and printing office that made this order.

The team of the newspaper “Ziarul de Garda” qualifies this act as an attack on the ZdG image, which over 7 years of existence avoided the political partisanship and offered its readers maximum transparency on the team, printing office, circulation, etc.. Also we consider that this act is one of punishment for multiple investigation articles published by ZdG, which has repeatedly been subjected to electronic and telephone threats.

We believe that in the current conditions the good name of the team that is a winner of countless national and international journalism awards, has been denigrated, and the editorial office no longer feels safe till the General Prosecutor’s Office and Minister of Internal Affairs will not determine and explain who are the evildoers, what are their real intentions and the upcoming risks for the newspaper “Ziarul de Garda”.

We ask the media community of Moldova for support in solving this situation and the international community to support the protection of a team of reporters that meet their journalistic work exclusively on ethical principles.

The Ziarul de Garda team