OSCE media freedom representative calls for protection of journalists' right to confidential sources in Romania

VIENNA, 13 November 2018 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania expressing concern about an investigative journalism organization being requested to reveal its confidential sources, and asking for this request to be withdrawn.

On 8 November, the RISE Project non-profit journalism organization in Bucharest received a letter from the Romanian data protection authority, the National Supervisory Authority for Personal Data Processing (ANSPDCP), requesting information related to the sources of an investigative report on a case of alleged fraud involving European funds. The Authority also threatened the organization with a fine in case of non-compliance.

"I call for the withdrawal of this request in order to safeguard the journalists' right to confidential sources," said Désir. "The confidentiality of journalists’ sources is one of the basic preconditions for press freedom.”

“This case shows that there is a need to strengthen the protection of journalists’ confidential sources in line with international standards, in order to avoid similar cases in the future” concluded Désir.

The RISE Project is a member of the regional network Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and of the Global Investigative Journalism Network.           

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.