Radio România Internațional

Tag: speech

  • Mass media in Romania: the state of play

    Mass media in Romania: the state of play


    Romania remains last in Europe in terms of respecting and guaranteeing the freedom and safety of the mass media, as well as unrestricted access to information, the president of ActiveWatch Liana Ganea says.



    In her opinion, one of the key problems is that major political parties are financing the media in a non-transparent manner, which leads to reasonable suspicions that the media coverage of the public agenda is distorted.



    At the same time, the few journalists who are critical of the political power have become subject to vilification campaigns, initiated either by political players or by media institutions with a long track record of deviations from professional ethics, Liana Ganea adds.



    She also believes the state should have genuine control over the intelligence services and restrict their growing powers and their ability to interfere with the right to free speech.



    In turn, the president of the Centre for Independent Journalism, Ioana Avădani, says the mass media in Romania are facing major problems that are within the governments jurisdiction. Some of these problems include the lack of transparency regarding the shareholding structure of media companies and their influence on the editorial agenda, attacks on journalists coming from political players and the aggressive rhetoric against journalists.



    The Romanian government must understand, even without pressure from Europe, that mass-media is a legitimate actor in the public debate and that its critical role goes beyond any financial or political interests, Ioana Avădani emphasised.



    These opinions come in the context of the statements made by the vice-president of the European Commission for values and transparency, Vera Jourova, who said that “The situation of the media in Romania is not very rosy and there is a lot of room for improvement.”



    Asked whether the new legislative instruments suggested by the European Commission last year and currently pending adoption are enough to address these problems, she said they are, but pointed out she is expecting more from the Romanian state in the meantime.



    The Commissions 2022 report on the rule of law mentions that the mass media in Romania is facing problems such as the fact that “transparency on media ownership continues to be incomplete” and the worsening of the situation regarding threats, cases of harassment and violence against journalists.



    In 2022, there were two cases of criminal sentences pronounced in Romanian courts with respect to offences against the safety of journalists. (AMP)


  • Positions on Ukraine

    Positions on Ukraine


    One year into the invasion of Ukraine, Putins Russia is changing nothing, even in terms of rhetoric. Speaking before the countrys political elite, Putin reiterated the claim that the attack on Ukraine was a response to an alleged Western plan against Russia. Kyiv would have prepared for a military offensive in Donbas anyway, last spring, Vladimir Putin claimed.



    While admitting that Russia was going through a difficult period, Vladimir Putin still described his country as the stronghold standing up against the Western decadence that seeks to rob the Russian people of their resources and to make them suffer. The West, the Russian president went on to say, has turned Ukraine into an anti-Russian project. And, he warned, the further into Russia Western weapons will hit, the more Moscow will be forced to remove these threats at its borders.



    Putin announced the suspension of the New START treaty with the US on the reduction of strategic nuclear weapons and warned that Moscow may resume nuclear tests.



    As for the waves of sanctions hitting the Russian economy, the Kremlin leader argued that it cannot be brought to its knees. Moreover, the sanctions purportedly created opportunities for autonomous development.



    Whereas Putins address in Moscow targeted a domestic audience that needs convincing that the West is an intractable enemy for Russia, the US president Joe Bidens speech in Warsaw was intended for the entire world, or at least the part of the world that loves freedom.



    Biden praised Ukraines resilience and reiterated his countrys and its Western allies unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty and independence. Biden accused the Russians of extreme brutality and crimes against humanity. He reaffirmed the commitment of the US to the NATO collective defence clause. “We will be strong, we will be united. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia,” the US leader promised.



    On the other hand, Biden dismissed Moscows claims that the West was plotting to attack Russia. “This war was never a necessity; its a tragedy. President Putin chose this war. Every day the war continues is his choice,” the US president said, and added that the war would be ended if Russia stopped invading Ukraine, but that if Ukraine stopped defending itself against Russia, it would be the end of Ukraine. This is why together we must make sure that Ukraine can defend itself, Biden argued.



    Attending the speech was also the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and president Biden asked the public to give her a round of applause, praising Chişinǎus path to EU membership and the peoples resolve to live in freedom. (AMP)