OSCE media freedom representative condemns attack on journalist in Romania and calls for swift investigation

VIENNA, 18 May 2012 – Dunja Mijatović, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, today condemned the attack on journalist Dan Buruca and called on the Romanian authorities to carry out a thorough and quick investigation.

“Attacks against media workers not only threaten the victims themselves, but they also endanger media freedom in the country,” said the Representative. “I hope Romanian authorities will ensure that a thorough, swift and transparent investigation is carried out in order to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

Dan Buruca, an investigative reporter at Realitatea TV, was beaten by two individuals in the lobby of his apartment building on 16 May in Bucharest. According to the journalist, one of the attackers said he was beaten for his work at the television station.

Mijatović expressed hope that both this case, as well as the attacks against several members of the press during the demonstrations in Bucharest in January of this year, will soon result in successful prosecutions.