25 FOREIGN EMBASSIES ISSUE JOINT DECLARATION ON MEDIA FREEDOM IN MOLDOVA

The diplomatic missions of 25 countries working in Moldova have stood up with a Joint Declaration in the course of the international conference organized (December 9-10) by the UNESCO jointly with the Netherlands. It is dedicated to the World Press Freedom Day of May 3 and to the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (November 2)

The foreign embassies expressed conviction that the independent press plays a vitally important role in any democratic society by ensuring a mechanism of restrictions and counter-balance towards governments and other persons having power and authority.

The diplomats believe that improvement of the situation of press freedom in Moldova is a duty of Government and Parliament.

The Joint Declaration said that citizens need an impartial, objective and honest coverage of news and information on current events without a foreign interference or the influence of mercenary interests.

The Joint Declaration was issued by the diplomatic missions of Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the United States, Finland, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden and Estonia in Moldova.