Romania has made no progress in implementing the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), according to the third edition of the Media Capture Monitoring Report, published by the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC). The assessment, which covers developments through September 2026, highlights the persistence of political influence over the media.
The report is part of an annual project examining the mechanisms through which political and economic interests can exert control over the media. More specifically, according to the authors, in Romania, consultations initiated by the Ministry of Culture in 2025 were not followed by legislative proposals to implement the EMFA. Problems persist in four areas: the independence of public service media, the autonomy of the regulatory authority, the use of public funds, and transparency of media ownership.
Furthermore, the authors conclude that appointments to the leadership of Romania’s public television and radio broadcasters remain dependent on political negotiations. Their funding is determined annually through the state budget, while the increases allocated for 2026 fall below the projected inflation rate. The report also finds that public subsidies granted to political parties continue to finance favourable editorial coverage. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) do not disclose their contracts with media outlets, while local authorities provide preferential support to loyal media organisations. Romania’s National Broadcasting Council (CNA) has become more active but remains vulnerable to political pressure and suffers from staff shortages. At the same time, the necessary measures to ensure transparency of media ownership and assess the impact of market concentration on media pluralism are still lacking.
At the European level, the study examines eight countries (Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain) and finds that Finland performs best in safeguarding media independence. It is the only country analysed where the independence of regulatory authorities is guaranteed both in law and in practice. Finland was also the only one of the eight countries to have fully aligned its legal framework with the requirements of the European Media Freedom Act by the end of 2025. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Hungary, where political influence over public service media and the concentration of control over the media sector remain major concerns. The report highlights persistent vulnerabilities in most of the countries analysed, particularly regarding political interference, the allocation of state advertising and transparency of media ownership.
The European Media Freedom Act became applicable on 8 August 2025. The regulation introduces safeguards for editorial independence, the protection of journalistic sources, adequate and predictable funding for public service media, transparency of media ownership, and the transparent allocation of state advertising across all EU member states. It also provides for assessments of the impact of media market concentrations on pluralism.
In the Republic of Moldova, the new media law, adopted on 24 August 2026, partially transposes the provisions of the EMFA. It is scheduled to enter into force in March 2027. The new law provides safeguards for editorial independence and journalists’ safety, as well as transparency obligations concerning media ownership and financing. Information disclosed by media service providers will be included in a public register maintained by the Ministry of Culture. Registration of this information will not be a prerequisite for carrying out media activities, but providers will be required to submit and update the information stipulated by law.