OSCE Representative calls for full investigation of police attack on journalist in Romania

BUDAPEST, 13 November 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that a recent attack on a journalist by law enforcement officers in Bucharest is unacceptable and must be subject to an exhaustive investigation.

“I trust that this incident will be swiftly and thoroughly investigated,” Mijatović said. “Journalists must be able to do their work in a free and safe manner, any obstructions to their freedom constitute an attack on free media.”

On 10 November, Stefan Mako an investigative journalist with Casa Jurnalistului, filmed police officers arresting a man in Bucharest who was later put in police custody. The police officers told Mako to stop filming the arrest, but he instead documented the incident.

Mako was detained and brought in for questioning by the police. During the detainment, the journalist was threatened and beaten several times. The police also erased the video material from his mobile phone. Mako was later released.

“Attacks on journalist by law enforcement officers are especially worrying, since the police should safeguard and ensure the safety of members of the media. Incidents like these contribute to an atmosphere of fear and endanger media freedom,” Mijatović said.

Mijatović is in Budapest participating in an international conference on television, Internet and the digital divide.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.