Right of reply — Antena 3, Sinteza Zilei with Mihai Gâdea

Bucharest, 6 April 2022 — Right of reply concerning Sinteza Zilei, broadcast on Antena 3 on Tuesday 5 April 2022 from 23:09. The programme discussed an investigation concerning activist Gabriel Păun, President of Agent Green and Director of Animals International, authored by Bianca Nae, presented by Mihai Gâdea and debated with his guests.

During the 22-minute programme, a series of false statements amounting to harassment and defamation were made about Gabriel Păun and the organisations he leads.

Regarding the violent incident in May 2015 on the Râul Alb at the foot of the Retezat Mountains, Mr Gabriel Păun is a victim who suffered multiple injuries in an attempted murder following an attack initiated by Mr Bocea and other attackers. In this case, Lascu Cornel was sent to trial for assault or other violence, with the first hearing awaited — case No. 58/240/2022 at Hațeg District Court[1]. The injuries sustained by Mr Bocea, who is said to be paralysed, are the subject of another case unrelated to Gabriel Păun, which has already been decided at first instance — 1100/97/2021 at Hunedoara Tribunal[2]. Following the trauma of the attempted murder and subsequent threats, Gabriel Păun decided to move his residence to another country and live at a secret location for which he pays instalments over 25 years. Unfortunately, this location was revealed during Mr Gâdea’s programme, which also falsely claimed that Gabriel Păun was the person who ran over Bocea. Regarding Mr Bocea’s illegal investments on the Râul Alb, a final court decision stopped construction of the small hydropower plants concerned — decision 1728/2016 by Alba Iulia Court of Appeal in case No. 2552/97/2015.

The same happened with the hydropower developments in Defileul Jiului National Park mentioned in the programme, where Romanian authorities breached national and European environmental law and the project was definitively stopped by court rulings. Other unlawful projects were also stopped by courts in proceedings brought by other NGOs that monitor respect for the rule of law in Romania. Romania is also subject to infringement proceedings opened by the European Commission over the unlawful construction of around 30 small hydropower plants in Romania.

In fact, Agent Green is involved in hundreds of lawsuits against the authorities over such damaging state projects and to stop illegal logging. The organisation has never accepted public funding, precisely to preserve its independence and uncompromising stance towards the system, as its entire record demonstrates. Gabriel Păun and Agent Green have criticised all governments equally and promptly flagged abuses by the executive and legislature. The organisation’s annual report is public:

Agent Green annual report 2020

The programme also referred to Gabriel Păun’s campaign to stop live animal exports. We wish to clarify that this campaign is conducted on behalf of Animals International and concerns the whole planet, not just Romania. It began in Australia, where notable results were achieved, and continues with the same intensity on every continent. The proposed solution is to export frozen or chilled meat. This would eliminate the unnecessary animal suffering caused by transport and create more than 5400 new jobs with annual gross value added exceeding 46 million euros in Romania alone.

Finally, the programme referred to Gabriel Păun’s travel to various countries, insinuating that these were holidays. In reality, for more than 20 years, Gabriel Păun has conducted undercover investigations into abuses against nature and animals on every continent for several international organisations. These investigations bring the truth to light in extremely hostile environments where his life has often been in danger.

Agent Green therefore condemns this presentation of false information and asks Antena 3 to fully restore the reputation of Agent Green and Gabriel Păun by presenting the truth in the same programme, at the same time, for the same duration and with the same presenter and guests. Agent Green will also notify the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) and take legal action over harassment and defamation.

[1] https://portal.just.ro/240/SitePages/Dosar.aspx?id_dosar=24000000000029670&id_inst=240;

[2] https://portal.just.ro/97/SitePages/Dosar.aspx?id_dosar=9700000000122900&id_inst=97;