Wave of fake news in Romania
Social networks are once again spreading false information, causing fear in Romania, the Foreign Ministry warns
Bogdan Matei, 23.05.2025, 14:00
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest warns that a new wave of fake news is fueling a concerted campaign of disinformation and interference, aimed at influencing Romanian public opinion. It is an aggressive campaign which has been going on for several years – the Ministry also says. The most recent episode of this kind, erroneously attributed to the reputed TV channel Euronews, claims France allegedly interfered in the election in Romania, a NATO ally and EU partner. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically dismissed this story. Ministry spokesperson Andrei Ţărnea.
“In recent weeks, France has frequently been the target of such manipulation. Recent examples were exposed during the presidential election in Romania last week. The fake article attributed to Euronews represents in itself a standard element of Russia’s hybrid arsenal”.
In Paris, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Christophe Lemoine, in turn told Radio Romania’s correspondent that “the allegations regarding an alleged interference by France in the presidential election in Romania are completely unfounded. France categorically rejects these accusations and calls on everyone to display responsibility, but above all, respect for Romanian democracy”.
The Romanian Defense Ministry also draws attention to new misinformation related to the so-called preparations for the mobilization of military reservists and assures that there is no connection with the security context generated by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. The disinformation appears in the context in which the Ministry of National Defense recently published information about the organization of a training exercise to evaluate the mobilization reserve in Olt, Giurgiu and Teleorman counties. General Constantin Spînu gave more details in a post on Inforadar, a platform dedicated to combating disinformation.
“The administrative document used in this disinformation narrative is issued by a structure of Metrorex, the Bucharest subway operator, for the implementation of legal procedures regarding the records of employees with military obligations. These procedures are routine; they are carried out annually and have no connection with the security context generated by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. This notification, falsely presented as so-called proof of the initiation of preparations for the mobilization of reservists or a return to the mandatory military stage, is nothing more than a periodic document, issued for the fulfillment of legal obligations in peacetime”.
Such disinformation attempts, aimed at amplifying fear and uncertainty in the context of the war in Ukraine, are expected to continue, the Defense Ministry also warns. (VP)
