Constantin Cheianu, a journalist for the Jurnal TV, wrote on his Facebook page that Anatol Durbala, his colleague with the TV program “Ora de Ras” (on photo), had been threatened by Renato Usatîi, a businessman, originally Moldovan, but living in Russia.

“The program “Ora de Ras” once referred to this man, Renato Usatîi. He did not like what we had said, and he called at midnight from Moscow to Anatol Durbala, my colleague, to threaten him. This is unacceptable! … For four years of existence of the program “Ora de Ras” such things, that someone threatened us, it happens to us a second time”, Cheianu wrote on Facebook.

Anatol Durbala, when asked to comment on the incident, said that he had no conflict with Renato Usatîi. He added that he no longer wanted to return to this situation.

A journalist of the EaP Media Freedom Watch had a phone conversation with Renato Usatîi. The latter reassured that he had not threatened Anatol Durbala, but only expressed his disagreement with the way he had been presented at the TV program. “I do not regard the expression “this is unacceptable” as a threat”, he said. He added that he considered the possibility of appealing to the court. Usatîi also believes that he is a victim of attacks on the part of the Jurnal TV owners – the Topa brothers.

Non-governmental media organizations have appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Prosecutor’s office with the request to investigate the case. The statement mentions that if someone sees a TV program as insulting his honor, he may appeal to the Press Council.

Previously, the editorial office of “Ziarul de Gardă” newspaper also complained about threats from Renato Usatîi.

EaP Media Freedom Watch