Amendment to Romania’s law on National News Agency puts independence at risk, says OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir

PALERMO, 23 October 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir is concerned about the recent amendment to the Law on the Organization and Functioning of the AGERPRES National News Agency, which was passed on 11 October 2017 by the Senate of Romania. Today, he wrote to the Foreign Minister of Romania, Teodor Melescanu, to this effect.  

“I am concerned about the possible repercussions of this amendment for the independence of the AGERPRES National News Agency”, Désir said, noting that "under the draft legislation the Director-General could be dismissed during the course of his or her mandate if Parliament rejects an AGERPRES annual report."

Several organizations, including Romania’s National Union of Journalists, MediaSind, the European Alliance of News Agencies, and the European Federation of Journalists, have denounced the new amendment as an instrument to politicize the public service media.

The Representative also said that his Office remains ready to support Romanian authorities with policy recommendations to ensure full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. 

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.