NAC members criticize Nicușor Dan’s decision to bar Ovidiu Vanghele from attending press conferences

President Nicușor Dan’s decision to ban journalist Ovidiu Vanghele from attending his future press conferences was analyzed on Wednesday by members of the National Audiovisual Council. The head of state announced the measure on Tuesday evening, at the end of a briefing held at Cotroceni Palace, citing insults directed by the journalist.

CNA member Dorina Rusu argued that no authority may ban journalists from attending the president’s events and described the situation as a “dangerous precedent” for press freedom. She stated that any issues should have been discussed in a different setting.

Georgică Severin cited the provisions of Law 544 and said that journalists have free access to events organized in public institutions. He considered the president’s statement that fair elections also depend on how citizens form their opinions to be more serious.

Lucian Dindirică specified that the measure might concern only the president’s press conferences, not all events at Cotroceni. Meanwhile, Monica Gubernat,  former president of the CNA, drew attention to the aggression displayed during the conference and rejected the idea that insults are protected by freedom of expression.