Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

BACKGROUND:
Located in South-eastern Europe, Romania currently
functions as a unitary semi-presidential republic. Shortly
after the end of the Second World War Romania was forcibly
turned into a socialist republic. The Ceausescu regime
collapsed in 1989, leaving Romania politically and economically
fragile. Given its susceptibility to corruption, Romania’s
growth and development was slow. In 1993, four
years after its transition to democracy, Romania applied for
EU membership and became the first post-communist
country to have official relations with the EU. 1 In 1995 it
became an Associated State of the EU. 2 During the 2000s
several reforms were implemented to prepare for the EU
accession that it received in 2004. 3 Romania finally became
a Member State on January 1, 2007. 4
MEDIA SOURCES:
Domestically, Romania is viewed as having one of the most
dynamic media markets in all of Southeastern Europe. 5
However true this may be, the constitution has imposed
limits upon the freedom of expression. More specifically, it
limits reporting that places Romania in a derogatory context.
6 In 2010, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced
that Romania “now considers the media a threat
to national security and plans to legally censor its activities.”
7
Adevarul
www.adevarul.ro
Arguably the oldest and most well read newspaper in Romania,
Adevarul was founded in 1871 and has evolved in a
manner similar to the transformation Romania has undergone.
8 Its current daily circulation is 187,000 and is owned
by Dinu Patriciu, a prominent Romanian businessman and
former politician. 9 Adevarul’s idelogical stance conflicts
with the beliefs of its founder. 10 Patriciu, founder of the National
Liberal Party, follows a centre-right liberal policy
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