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.

România Internațional, 04.05.2015, 13:48

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 daffaires 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.