Editing Mass media in Romania (section)

==Legislative framework==

The 2003 [[Constitution of Romania]] upholds [[freedom of expression]] and prohibits [[censorship]]. The Constitution also states that "Freedom of the press also involves the free setting up of publications," and that "No publication shall be suppressed, establishes free [[access to information]] and the autonomy of the public radio and TV.<ref name=EJClex>Alexandru-Brădut Ulmanu, [http://ejc.net/media_landscapes/romania#link_438 Romania #Media Legislation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113035409/http://ejc.net/media_landscapes/romania#link_438 |date=2016-01-13 }}, ''EJC Media Landscapes'', circa 2010</ref>

No specific Press Law is in force in Romania.<ref name=EJClex/> [[Hate speech]] is forbidden when it insults state symbols or religion, and when it promotes fascist or racist ideologies. Small fines are imposed: in 2014, the president [[Traian Basescu]] was fined for an anti-[[Romani people|Roma]] comment, and a [[Facebook]] user was also fined after he had posted a Nazi slogan that was then quoted by a local newspaper.<ref name=FH/>

In 2007 the media rights body [[Reporters Without Borders]] praised reforms to the criminal code; journalists can no longer be jailed on [[defamation]] charges. Defamation was decriminalised in 2010 by a Supreme Court ruling, but this was later overturned by a 2013 Constitutional Court decision.<ref>{{cite news|title=OSCE media freedom representative urges Romanian authorities to finalize decriminalization of libel|url=http://www.osce.org/fom/101287|access-date=12 May 2017|work=OSCE|date=7 May 2013|location=Vienna}}</ref> Civil defamation lawsuits often target journalists.<ref name=FH/>

Freedom of [[access to information]] is guaranteed by the Constitution and by a specific law (Law on Free Access to Information of Public Interest, adopted in 2001). Public bodies are required to release information to the public, and journalists are afforded special privileges to obtain them faster.<ref name=EJClex/> Yet, access to public information is less and less used by journalists, who do not have resources to invest in investigative reporting while faced with severe economic conditions in the media sector in the country. Cases of officials obstructing access to information have been reported.<ref name=FH/>

On 25 June 2008 the [[Senate of Romania|Senate]] adopted a draft amendment that would have obliged television and radio broadcasters to have a 50% of "good" or "positive" news. The [[Constitutional Court of Romania|Constitutional Court]], however, ruled the bill unconstitutional before [[promulgation]], so it never became law.<ref>{{cite news|title=OSCE media freedom representative urges Romanian President to veto bill on mandatory percentage of 'good news'|url=http://www.osce.org/fom/49895|access-date=12 May 2017|work=OSCE|date=8 July 2008|location=Vienna}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=OSCE media freedom representative welcomes Romanian Constitutional Court's ruling against 'good news' bill|url=http://www.osce.org/fom/49913|access-date=12 May 2017|work=OSCE|date=11 July 2008|location=Vienna}}</ref>

===Status and self-regulation of journalists===
Journalists have opposed initiatives for a Law on the Press, fearing that it would impose restrictions rather than granting freedoms.<ref name=EJCacc>Alexandru-Brădut Ulmanu, [http://ejc.net/media_landscapes/romania#link_439 Romania #Accountability systems] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113035409/http://ejc.net/media_landscapes/romania#link_439 |date=2016-01-13 }}, ''EJC Media Landscapes'', circa 2010</ref> A 2009 study by CIJ, ActiveWatch and IMAS (The Institute for Marketing and Polls) reports that most journalists say that professional norms are not respected, mostly due to political and business pressures.<ref>[http://media.hotnews.ro/media_server1/document-2009-10-23-6340228-0-raport-cercetare-cantitativa.pdf ''Autoreglementarea Presei in Romania''] (Press Self-regulation in Romania), cercetare cantitativa (quantitative research), CJI, ActiveWatch, IMAS, October 2009.</ref>

The Romanian Press Club has an Ethics Code and a Council of Honour to inquire journalists and media outlets found in breach of professional norms – although its decisions have often been criticised as arbitrary. The Convention of Media Organisations (COM) also adopted a deontological code; COM-member organisations have developed self-regulation guidelines for an increased accountability in the Romanian media. A "Unique Code" was issued in October 2009 by COM, MediaSind trade union and the Association of Journalists in Romania, to be adopted for the whole profession.<ref name=EJCacc/>

Among the broadcast media, regulation is managed by the National Broadcasting Council (''[[Consiliul National al Audiovizualului]]''), issuing warnings and fines for non lack of fairness and accuracy, as well as forcing media to display public acknowledgements for promoting indecent language and behaviour.<ref name=EJCacc/>

Journalists in Romania have to deal with job insecurity due to low and delayed salaries, as well as commercial and political pressures from media owners and advertisers. Collective labour contracts for the mass media sector expired in early 2014. Reporters in Romania also often face [[#Charges, attacks and threats against journalists|verbal abuse, intimidation, and occasionally even physical aggressions]].<ref name=FH/>