"Mass-media politicization emphasized" in 2011

The report notes an apparently paradoxical fact. The multiply of news television on a market where advertising revenue is declining.

The authors of ths study suggest that this aspect fuels the speculation regarding the true reason of these media existing and namely to serve as instruments of political influence in the election year 2012, marked by local elections in June and by parliamentary ones from November.

Răzvan Martin, one of the specialists who worked on the report on press freedom in Romania, says that "many of them, both the old and the new owners which come onto the market have very close political environment, many advisors, people close to parties and key political leaders."

"There's nothing illegal about that, but it raises many signs on journalistic approach credibility there," said Răzvan Martin.

Active Watch also notes that media market remains dominated by businessmen interested primarily in obtaining political and economic advantages, willing to invest fabulous amounts of money in order to achieve these purposes.

However, the Agency notes that the quest of televisions for ratings has arisen, being stated also in 2011 serious ethical violations to create news, overexposure of celebrities scandals or the exploitation of tragic events.

Within the published report, issued on the occasion of World Press Day , is also recorded that journalists continued to be harassed, insulted and threatened, especially by politicians, authorities, police forces and public figures.

Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University