MediaSind says that press freedom could become an “illusion”
The Romanian Federation of MediaSind Journalists said yesterday, on the Day of the World Freedom of Media, that the Romanian media, “this watchdog of the democracy is likely to become a poor
“For 20 years, since the media and each citizen have regained the right to free expression, many politicians have had as a main target to make media silent just like during the Communist period”, according to the journalists from MediaSind, cited by Agerpres.
According to them, the attempts to undermine the media freedom have taken place by means of various actions and legislative drafts, among which “Macovei Code” – where the journalists had places in prisons “secured”, the draft of the law on proportional balance among positive and negative news, as well as the excessive political size of the public radio and TV institutions. Apart of these, there are, based on MediaSind, verbal and physical aggressions on journalists or pressures of the authorities against media institutions, such as investigations of Police or prosecutors aimed at intimidating the journalists. It has been aimed, several times, MediaSind says, at revealing the confidential sources or confiscating / copying documents related to media. A special chapter is represented by the concern of the authorities on intercepting communications.
Brasov taxi driver accused of murder, found dead in prison
A Brasov taxi driver who was accused of having killed two young women and then disposed of their bodies was found dead on Sunday morning in his Codlea Penitentiary cell. According to Antena 3, preliminary investigations show that Ionut Nicolae was killed by his cell mate. The taxi driver was accused of having killed two young women in 2007. One of the two was the daughter of the Brasov Emergency Situations Inspectorate’s deputy chief Gabriel Motruna. Nicolae reportedly killed the two young women and then rented an apartment in Bacau, where he hid the bodies.
Paraglider fell in Peles Castle yard after 30-metre fall
A young male paraglider from Targoviste dived into the yard of the Peles Castle in Sinaia, Friday, breaking his shoulder and sustaining head injures in the process. According to the Antena 3 news channel, the youngster was flown by helicopter to Bucharest’s Floreasca hospital. The young man recounted he started his glide at elevation 2,000 in Sinaia, yet strong air currents prevented him from landing. The incident occurred under the terrified eyes of Peles Castle visitors.
Bucharester attacked by bear in the Bucegi Mountains
A tourist was attacked by a bear in the Bucegi Mountains Friday morning, Mediafax reports. The tourist, a 41-year-old resident of Bucharest, came under the bear’s attack while the man was travelling from Diham to the Malaesti Chalet, injured his right ankle in the attack. A Rasnov-based mountain rescue team called by the man, who dialled the emergency number 112, took him down from elevation 1,680 to the foot of the mountain, from where a waiting ambulance took him to hospital.
Young woman injured after falling in three-meter pit
In Alba County, a group of young people set off on a closed route in Cheile Rametului mountainous region on Friday. While they tried to climb up a very steep area, one of them dislodged a rock, which hit a young woman in the group. The woman lost consciousness and fell in a three-meter deep pit, according to Antena 3. Fortunately, the girl survived the fall.
The woman, 21, is from Breaza and wanted to spend May Day with her friends in the mountains, according to the same source.