Media organisations call on Vladimir Voronin to publicly apologise after insulting two female journalists

The Independent Journalism Center (IJC), together with six other media organisations that co-signed a public statement, condemns the behaviour of Communist Party (PCRM) MP Vladimir Voronin towards journalists Natalia Ghețu of TV8 and Veronica Gherbovețchi of Fără Filtre. In the statement, the signatories describe the remarks and insults directed at the two reporters as “abhorrent”. The incident occurred while the journalists were seeking explanations about the politician’s meeting with Oleg Ozerov, the Russian Federation’s ambassador-designate to the Republic of Moldova. The organisations call on the former head of state to publicly apologise to the journalists and the newsrooms they represent.

The incident took place on Thursday, November 5, at Parliament, as the journalists were trying to obtain details about Vladimir Voronin’s discussions with the Russian diplomat. When Natalia Ghețu asked whether he had sought the ambassador’s position on violations of the Republic of Moldova’s airspace, the MP avoided answering and instead made several remarks about the journalist’s physical appearance, including her age.

Following repeated questions from the reporters, Vladimir Voronin resorted to insulting members of the press, calling them “blabbermouths”. The MP accused Natalia Ghețu of asking “nonsensical questions”, and when Veronica Gherbovețchi asked why he was using such language towards journalists, he questioned the two reporters’ professional status. The politician also accused them of being paid by people who “destroy and rob the country” and described the press as “bought off and mafia-controlled”.

In their statement, the signatory organisations draw attention to the sexist nature of the comments directed at Natalia Ghețu and argue that such behaviour contributes to discrediting the press and fuelling public hostility towards journalists.

“Such degrading, vile and absurd remarks, coming from a former head of state and current MP, deliberately discredit the press, fuel public hostility towards journalists and send the dangerous message that humiliating and intimidating them is acceptable in the public sphere,” the statement reads.

The signatories emphasise that asking questions of individuals who hold or have held public office is a legitimate part of journalistic work. In this context, the organisations consider an MP’s position on violations of the Republic of Moldova’s airspace by Russian drones and on the war in Ukraine to be a matter of major public interest.

“Refusing to answer is a right, but that refusal cannot be replaced with insults, personal attacks and sexist remarks,” the authors of the statement point out.

The IJC and the co-signatory organisations also call on Vladimir Voronin to publicly apologise to journalists Natalia Ghețu and Veronica Gherbovețchi, as well as to the TV8 and Fără Filtre newsrooms, and to adopt appropriate conduct in his future interactions with media representatives.

The organisations also urge Parliament’s leadership to take a stand on the MP’s behaviour and express solidarity with the two journalists, encouraging newsrooms to continue asking questions on matters of public interest and reporting cases of intimidation against members of the press.

Furthermore, the IJC encourages the journalists concerned to file a complaint with the Equality Council regarding the sexist remarks, which could constitute sex-based harassment under Law No. 121/2012 on Ensuring Equality.

Contacted by Media Azi for a comment on Vladimir Voronin’s statements in Parliament and to clarify whether the party intends to take any action, Diana Caraman, chair of the PCRM parliamentary group, declined to comment on her party colleague’s remarks.

“I know how the press sometimes interprets words and takes them out of context. Therefore, if I have not seen these statements, I cannot comment on them now. Moreover, I will not comment on Vladimir Nicolaevici’s activities or statements. I have no moral right to comment. He is our comrade,” Diana Caraman told Media Azi.