Political censorship and self-censorship are on the rise in Romania, according to RSF’s World Press Freedom Index 2019
The hate towards journalists has led to extreme violence and created a climate of fear, according to the annual ranking of countries World Press Freedom Index 2019 compiled and published by Reporters without Borders (RSF). The organization says that the number of countries where journalists are safe to work continues to fall. As far as Romania is concerned, the report observes an increase in political censorship and self-censorship, as well as higher pressure exerted by authorities on journalists and the transformation of media into a propaganda tool. Romania ranks 47 among the 180 countries included in the World Press Freedom Index, which concludes that part of the media was gradually transformed into a political propaganda tool, extremely politicized, with obscure financing and editorial policies subordinated to the interests of the owners. The document, which states that only 24 out of the 180 countries subject to the assessment are completely safe for journalists, says that in Romania they were harassed by the authorities, who invoked the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as grounds for making them reveal their sources.
Review for the first 100 days of Romanian Presidency of the European Union Council
The Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has laid out a review for the first 100 days that Romania spent at the helm of the European Union Council. The Head of the Romanian government has said that minister from the PSD and ALDE parties have managed difficult files – some of them postponed from the mandates of previous presidencies – have negotiated them and brought them to the final stage. Romania has managed more than 1,100 events and meetings during the first three months of its mandate as head of the EU Council and was able to bring to the table all those actors which have a say in the future of the European project, Viorica Dancila has said, adding that 90 files, which were no easy at all, were concluded. The Romanian Presidency of the European Union Council is focused on citizens and the respect for their rights, the Prime Minister has also said and added that during the following months the debates on the future of Europe would continue, and Romania would promote the reinforcement of the European project.
Viorica Dancila: We have showed that we have a strong and responsible team, along with the Permanent Representation and experts in the ministries. I am sure that, after this six months mandate, Romania will be known better as a country with a strong voice, a country respected in Europe.
The cultural season Romania-France is opening in Bucharest with Spotlight – the International Light Festival
An exhibit of contemporary art works in Bucharest on Thursday is marking the opening of the Romanian phase of the Romania-France cultural season. The cultural dialogue between the two countries was launched in November in France and it continues in Romania until July the 14th, with a series of exhibits, theatre and film festivals and also concerts, which will be held in 30 towns and cities, such as: Bucharest, Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca and Iasi. The season will be officially opened on Thursday in the capital with the International Light Festival – Spotlight, which this year will also mark the Romanian Presidency of the European Union Council. The opening ceremony will be attended by President Klaus Iohannis, the French Ambassador to Romania, Michele Ramis and minister of culture from the two countries. The official closure on July the 14th will be marked by a large cultural event, held at the Roman Arenas in Bucharest.
Mădălina Brotăcel, RADOR
