Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

Press freedom

The World Press Freedom Day, marked globally on May 3, offers a good opportunity to review the freedom of the press worldwide, including Romania.

Press freedom
Press representatives at the Cotroceni Palace. Photo: rri.ro.

Articol de Radio România Internaţional, 04 Mai 2015, 14:39

In 2014 global press freedom has hit its lowest level in over a decade, reveals a recent Freedom House report.

The document shows that last year journalists were faced with mounting pressure.

Governments particularly use security and anti-corruption legislation to silence critical voices, advocacy groups and criminal networks use outrageous tactics to harass the media, while media tycoons try to manipulate information in order to serve their own political or material interests.

Of the 199 countries and territories included in the report, 63 were featured "free" in terms of information media, while 71 were described as "partly free". 65 countries continue to be press freedom deprived.

Romania ranks 84th in the standing, with a partially free media.

President Klaus Iohannis described the role of the mass media as key to defending public interest.

A free press contributes to consolidating democracy and developing a prosperous society.

In turn, Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said press freedom is instrumental for a functional democracy.

Minister Aurescu went on to say that May 3 should also pay a tribute to journalists who prove that “the pen is a mightier weapon than censorship or intimidation”.

The Romanian official referred to the reporters, bloggers or satirical journalists who became targets and victims of violence for exercising their democratic right to free speech.

In some countries journalists are even subject to intimidation, censorship or jail time for their courage to voice their opinions.

The US charge d’affaires Dean Thompson recently said that press freedom was ‘under siege’, and that being a journalist can be a "dangerous" trade.

According to the US official, in 2014, over 60 journalists were killed and many others wounded, harassed, arrested or threatened.

In another move, the Romanian Press Club has highlighted that in 2015 Romania is faced with aggravated internal crises and the effects of economic difficulties, which leaves little room for recovery.

Beyond economic issues, Club officials argue, the editorial leadership should come up with solutions to solve the identity crisis gripping most publications.

One such solution would be to promote an unbiased, innovative and consistent journalism.

US Ambassador in Bucharest: F-35 airplanes will significantly contribute to Romania's security
News in English 21 Noiembrie 2024, 16:01

US Ambassador in Bucharest: F-35 airplanes will significantly contribute to Romania's security

Romania's decision to acquire the F-35 advanced fighter aircraft is an important step in the continued modernization of...

US Ambassador in Bucharest: F-35 airplanes will significantly contribute to Romania's security
The Government wants to reorganize the National Anti-Drug Agency
News in English 21 Noiembrie 2024, 16:00

The Government wants to reorganize the National Anti-Drug Agency

Romania has enough natural gas stocks to get through the cold season, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu assured at the start of...

The Government wants to reorganize the National Anti-Drug Agency
Changes to maritime strategy
News in English 21 Noiembrie 2024, 00:30

Changes to maritime strategy

In Constanta, the Romanian Naval Forces are organizing the annual international conference on maritime security in the Black...

Changes to maritime strategy
Two Dutch F-16 aircraft landed at Fetesti Air Base
News in English 21 Noiembrie 2024, 00:29

Two Dutch F-16 aircraft landed at Fetesti Air Base

Two F-16 aircraft from the Netherlands, the latest to join the European Training Center, have landed at the 86th Air Base in...

Two Dutch F-16 aircraft landed at Fetesti Air Base
Technological development of district heating power plants key to efficient heating
News in English 19 Noiembrie 2024, 22:23

Technological development of district heating power plants key to efficient heating

The key to efficient and safe home heating in the capital is the technological development of district heating power plants,...

Technological development of district heating power plants key to efficient heating
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump
News in English 19 Noiembrie 2024, 22:21

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced that on Tuesday evening he had a very good telephone conversation with the...

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump
Two teenagers in Romania's delegation to COP29
News in English 18 Noiembrie 2024, 21:54

Two teenagers in Romania's delegation to COP29

Two teenagers from Romania are taking part for the first time as members of a delegation at the United Nations Climate Change...

Two teenagers in Romania's delegation to COP29
Ciolacu: Romania and Bulgaria could join Schengen with land borders in January
News in English 18 Noiembrie 2024, 21:52

Ciolacu: Romania and Bulgaria could join Schengen with land borders in January

Romania and Bulgaria could join the European Schengen area of free movement with land borders also from January next year,...

Ciolacu: Romania and Bulgaria could join Schengen with land borders in January