Nicușor Dan explains the access ban imposed on journalist Ovidiu Vanghele at Cotroceni: “I am not trash”

President Nicușor Dan explained on Thursday evening, in Dublin, the decision to bar journalist Ovidiu Vanghele from attending press conferences at Cotroceni Palace for the duration of his term. The head of state cited three reasons: the dignity of the individual, the dignity of public office, and the need to protect the public sphere from verbal violence.

Nicușor Dan argued that he is not obliged to engage in dialogue with someone who insulted him and stated that attacks against state employees undermine respect for institutions. He also warned that verbal violence can generate physical violence.

The decision had been announced on Tuesday, at the end of a press conference, after Vanghele asked the president about Prosecutor General Cristina Chiriac’s vote in the Superior Council of Magistracy. Nicușor Dan said that the journalist had directed insults at him, referring to posts in which he called him “trash” and “scoundrel.”

Several dozen NGOs and media institutions criticized the measure. The 57 organizations maintain that the ban violates freedom of expression and access to information and contravenes Law No. 544/2001 on access to public information.