Simion scandal – Digi 24: When you give « stenograms » from the sessions of the parties it is good, right?

1. George Simion has touched a new peak of public abjection today. The security of this young man, who did not live the golden age, but has its reflexes, is frightening.

2. I saw that Mr. Simion has a problem with the opinions expressed in the public space by the undersigned. It was one of the reasons why he claims he refused to come to the Digi24 debate: What Negtiu says and writes about him. I assure him that, as long as I live in a free and democratic Romania, I will continue to think with my head and speak freely. I didn’t get to this age to live in fear. The fear of being followed, registered, threatened-the fear that our parents and grandparents felt in the communist dictatorship.

3. I see many brave ones who tell my colleagues who have been to the discussion how they should have reacted to Simion’s violence. The reason for being a troll is to challenge, to get a reaction. Mr. Simion acted like a troll. How do you disarm a troll? You don’t answer any challenge. The effect? Mr. Simion was left alone in the office in which he filmed his guests, without having compromising material – an acid response, a swearing, a head in his mouth. I wonder what a healthy man at the head will talk to this little security for now? And the thought that G. Simion could move my eye and eardrum to Cotroceni.

There is a rule without which there is no discussion « off the record »: if from the beginning it is not specified that it is an off the record discussion, then any of the parties can relate what has been discussed.

When they entered the office of Simion, the 6 (six, nene!) Jog 24 journalists saw that there are two rooms, not at all hidden. They admitted tonight they saw two DSLRs on the tripod, ready.

If he had heard by Anton Pavlovici Chekhov, he would have known that « if a gun appears in the first act, then he must shoot in the next act. »

In general, but not mandatory, journalists ask: « Can I register? ». As I said, not every time.

Let’s not talk about Bogdan Peșchir. He had been legitimized by the policemen who took him from home, from Brasov. A prosecutor rather violated the law to take off his hood and scarf in the street, in front of the cameras, to see the journalists. Not only immoral, but also illegal.

Do you know the images in the backstage of the television, recorded in advertising breaks? Often they appear, especially in the case of political debates, without the consent of those filmed and without them being warned to be filmed. Like the images recorded before entering live. « Flows » to the public and no one assumes that

So, Simion did not violate any off-the record, nor did nothing illegal. He filmed in his own space, during a discussion of public interest, some citizens who, seeing the cameras, did not ask for the meeting to be held without being registered.

Then, what I saw on Simion’s filming was worth showing. 6 inert and humble people, who went to be merciful, incapable of any reaction. Not some victims, but incapable. As a editorial chief you did not comfort the head, but recommend them to look for another job.

I repeat: from a journalistic point of view, a discussion is off the record only if this is specified before the discussion begins.