H. E. Victor Ciorbea
Prime Minister of Romania
Bucharest
Romania

Vienna, 13 January 1998

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors and media executives represented in over 100 countries, is deeply concerned about the safety of Michael Fodor (professional name: Michael Freeman), a Romanian freelance cameraman/producer working in Bucharest.

According to our information, Mr. Fodor has been researching a programme involving a former politician, in which he intended to expose the sale of Romanian girls to Japanese prostitution rings.

Mr. Fodor was arrested and held for 24 hours without charge on 7 January. Shortly after this, his house was broken into and ransacked. Material related to the documentary was taken, as were the contact details of his wife and child, who are living abroad. Three separate news stories have recently appeared in the daily newspaper, Ziua, claming that he is a spy. Mr. Fodor refutes these allegations and sees them as an effort to discredit him before he publishes his story. He is now constantly being followed by unidentified persons. IPI is obviously concerned for his, and his family’s, well-being.

The facts of this case seem to indicate that Mr. Fodor is in danger because of his investigative journalism. We would urge you to ensure the he is permitted to carry out his work in safety and without fear of reprisal.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Johann P. Fritz
Director