On April 4 at 2:00PM (CET), the International Press Institute (IPI), Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) and the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) will host a webinar to mark the publication of a major report assessing press freedom and independent journalism in Romania.

In Romania, the main instrument of political capture of the media are the ‘media and propaganda’ funds. Political parties pay around 20 million euros annually to the media from their allocation from the state budget. The size and lack of transparency over their expenditure has created a pliant media culture that panders to politicians and fails to hold the government to account. Meanwhile, local journalism faces a profound crisis created by a near complete dependency on local government funds for survival. 

A growing use of abusive lawsuits, or SLAPPs, used against Romanian media and journalists is draining resources and increasing costs for media. Journalists are facing a growing chilling effect on newsrooms and pressure to desist from pursuing investigative content. 

Lastly, while most journalists conduct their work without fear for their safety, a significant number are regularly trolled, threatened or worse. Too often, the police fail to take appropriate action, leaving  journalists to either accept the threats or leave the profession.

Speakers:

• Cristina Lupu, Executive Director, Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
• Septimius Parvu, Electoral Expert, Expert Forum
• Ana Poenariu, Independent journalist
• Marius Daea, Producer and Country Coordinator, Free Press Unlimited

Moderator:

Oliver Money-Kyrle, Head of Europe Advocacy and Programmes, International Press Institute (IPI)

Conclusion:

Sielke Kelner, Researcher and Advocacy Officer, Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

The report has been jointly produced by the organizations of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR): ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT).

The report will be published first in English, with a translated Romanian version to follow in the coming weeks.