Press freedom and safety of journalists : Reporters Without Borders sends team to Romania from 24 March to 1st April

A Reporters Without Borders delegation will go to Romania from 24 March to 1 April to prepare a report on threats to press freedom and to the safety of journalists. Journalists critical of the government and the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) have complained of growing harassment, censorship and legal persecution. In the past few months there have been several brutal attacks on journalists investigating corruption implicating local authorities. Police have so far failed identify those behind the attacks. Romania is in an electoral year that is seen as crucial to the process of its becoming a member of the European Union. The Reporters Without Borders delegation will travel to Bucharest, Timisoara and Focsani to meet the authorities and journalists of all political persuasion.