The National Audiovisual Council (CNA), responsible for regulating television and media in Romania, has faced criticism lately following its directive to take down a video where a journalist claims that the
ruling of the National Voting Commission
To remove pro-Russian Călin Georgescu from the presidential contest constitutes a coup d’état.
The assertion was put forward on the Marius Tucă Show YouTube channel. Known for his frequent appearances on Romanian political discussion programs,
Marius Tucă
regularly addresses Georgescu’s case on his platform, with appearances from notable figures like ex-prime minister and present presidential candidate Victor Ponta.
As part of an intensified effort against online misinformation launched by Romanian authorities following the recently scrapped 2024 presidential elections, one of Tucă’s clips has been taken down.
CNA, on its end, has issued numerous removal orders for content that promoted hatred or violence or included significant misinformation, like posts from influencer Makaveli, according to reports.
HotNews
For instance, CNA recently gathered to ask for the
removal
Of multiple TikTok clips that openly promoted violence towards individuals associated with the Central Electoral Bureau, some were shared by Georgescu’s backers. These posts alleged that BEC members had betrayed Romania and asserted that these people deserved death.
The CNA also issued a removal order for inciting violence following George Simion’s post.
video message
On Facebook and TikTok, statements such as “those responsible for the coup should be skinned alive in the public square” were posted. Additional posts aimed at journalists were also taken down.
The most recent dismissal of Marius Tucă, nonetheless, drew criticism from high-ranking officials such as Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
CNA’s choice to eliminate opinion pieces written by reporters marks a departure from democratic principles and the freedom of expression. It is obligatory for every government institution to uphold the basic rights outlined in the Constitution. Opinions mustn’t be mistaken for factual reporting and ought never to be suppressed,” stated Ciolacu in a Facebook posting.
Individuals have the liberty to concur or dissent from viewpoints shared in the public domain,” he stated further, emphasizing that it is intolerable for CNA members to base their punitive actions on political views and personal motives instead of adhering to legal standards. He concluded by asserting that CNA needs to “swiftly reassess its operational guidelines.
The nominee from the governing alliance for the presidency, Crin Antonescu, addressed the topic as well, stating that he backs the freedom of expression, even if he disagrees with the content of what is being expressed.
“CNAB requested YouTube to remove one of Tucă’s episodes due to the guest’s viewpoints. There was no promotion of violence or encouragement of insurrection; merely an unsettling perspective. This does not constitute regulation but rather censorship,” said Crin Antonescu on Friday, March 28.
A related discussion emerged concerning Vasile Bănescu, who previously served as a spokesperson for the Romanian Orthodox Church and is currently a member of the CNA. At the council’s gathering about Tucă, he stated, “Challenging an institution over its rulings does not fall within the responsibilities of an impartial reporter.”
The remark drew criticism from the human rights organization APADOR-CH, which
called for the dismissal
The NGO charged Vasile Bănescu with “lacking even the fundamental understanding of freedom of expression and its boundaries, particularly concerning journalists.”
APADOR-CH emphasized that it is essential for its members to have at least some understanding of global rules concerning free speech and journalistic duties, along with the stipulations set forth in the European Convention on Human Rights and relevant ECHR rulings. Additionally, APADOR-CH contended that CNA’s choice to take down the video was incorrect since “a viewpoint should not be assessed through a true-false dichotomy; rather, it represents an evaluative stance.”
In reply, Vasile Bănescu stated
post on Facebook
The term he employed during the CNA conference was deemed “unfortunate.”
radu@
romania@romania-insider.com
(Photo credit: Inquam Photos | George Calin)
