Romanian draft press law limits freedom of expression

Under the new legislation proposed by the Justice Ministry last week, news media are obliged to print or broadcast an unedited ‘right to reply’ within three days to anyone offended by an article, or face legal action. The European Federation of Journalists on Tuesday called for the draft law to be withdrawn saying it “flagrantly infringes European principles regarding access to information and press freedom”. The law also allows for assets owned by the press to be confiscated, destroyed or withdrawn from circulation to pay damages.

Three Romanian press freedom groups on Wednesday criticized the draft law, which still has to be approved by Parliament.