In a year with four rounds of elections, the press in Romania faces a series of issues affecting journalists’ independence, mentions an international report analyzing press freedom in Romania. The report was conducted by the International Press Institute (IPI) and Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), following meetings held in January with journalists, members of regulatory institutions, civil society and lawyers. The document also make recommendations for authorities to implement. Among the main issues facing the press in Romania, the report mentions: The toxic influence exerted by political parties through the use of public funds to purchase advertising space on websites. An alarming trend of using SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits against the press. A growing wave of online harassment against journalists and their sources. The authors of the report mention that “Romania has one of the most dynamic media sectors in south-eastern Europe, boasting a diverse and rapidly evolving landscape. A handful of powerful companies dominate the mainstream media and, while they are independent, their political coverage has been criticised for being corrupted by a large influx of political money that creates a pliable and clientelist media culture.” The report underlines that local journalism, though, faces the biggest crisis where most of the media are effectively captured by politicians as a result of their dependence on government advertising funds. “Some 90% of media, working on shoestring budgets for an ever-shrinking audience, have become public relations vehicles for the town mayors.” Also, another existing danger mentioned is the growing involvement of Romania’s powerful betting industry is causing disquietin media and political circles. The report mentions here the situation of the publications owned by Ringier in Romania, Libertatea and GSP, which faced commercial interference in the editorial process. The Ringier scandal also illustrates the influence of the betting industry, with GSP journalists showing how Ringier Sports Management Group tried to pressure the newsroom on how it reports on the gambling industry and demanded that they submit articles before publication. The report also mentions that the gambling industry has allocated more than €2.4 billion on media advertising in 2022. Yet, the large media trusts “are being challenged by a young and vibrant sector of high-quality innovative media that refuses political money, demands the highest levels of integrity, and focuses on exposing corruption while reaching larger and larger audiences.” But that comes with a cost, as journalists suffer increasing online hostility and trolling, and the report exemplifies with the case of Emilia ?ercan, targeted by an ugly political smear campaign after revealing that several powerful politicians had plagiarised their academic theses. (Source:https://ipi.media/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/romania-report-1.pdf)
The service center for the banking Societe Generale Group, the Societe Generale Global Solution Centre, announced the appointment of Laurent Mirjol as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2025. The new CEO will oversee the activities and develop the strategy of Societe Generale Global Solution Centre Romania. With over 20 years of experience in the […]
During a press conference held on Monday, July 14, Romanian president Nicușor Dan defended the recent tax hikes enacted by the government, underlining the need to reassure creditors and lower the country’s public debt. Nevertheless, he said that the VAT increase was decided by the government. In the presidential campaign, then-candidate Nicușor Dan promised to
The famous Pompidou Center in Paris will organize a retrospective of the complete works of Romanian director Radu Jude between September 23 and October 11. The retrospective brings together films made over twenty years by the prolific Romanian director. The event will open and close with two of the most recent films, namely “Kontinental 25” […]
Romanian president Nicușor Dan presented the expenses incurred in the electoral campaign and who the main donors were during a press conference on Monday, July 14. Over the first and second rounds of the presidential elections, Dan's campaign spent over RON 60 million (EUR 12 million), and the biggest individual donors were Măriuca and Florin...
Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, has appointed Wael Kaskas as General Manager for its Hungary, Romania, Czechia, and Slovakia cluster. With a strong background in FMCG, consumer healthcare, and supermarket retail, Kaskas brings extensive experience in managing billion-dollar portfolios and leading business transformations, the company said. Before this role, Kaskas was responsible for […]
Vadoo Fest returns on August 21–24 to the meadows of Vadu Oii, Buzău County, with a new edition that invites participants to slow down and reconnect. Now in its seventh year, the festival promises a special experience rooted in nature, music, and human connection. This year’s line-up blends depth and groove, featuring Grammy-winner Judith Hill, […]
