Romania

Romania’s ranking in the Global Index on Journalists’ Safety indicates both strong points and long-standing weaknesses in its four dimensions of safety. The physical safety dimension indicates relatively low rates of direct violence or physical intimidation against journalists, possibly because democratic norms permit stronger legal protection. Psychological safety emphasizes a working environment in which media professionals are likely to have some level of peer support and a relatively cohesive press corps, although pressures from the political actors and media owners remain real. On the other hand, digital safety stands reflects ongoing vulnerability to online spying, cyber-attacks, and social-media bullying, areas where Romanian media are still somewhat short of global best practices. Lastly, the economic domain signifies risky economic conditions among the media environment, considering that domestic media align with low and unstable sources of revenue, thereby compromising both journalists’ welfare and their editorial independence. Between 2022 and 2025, there have been several socio-political and economic developments that have impacted journalistic safety, with combined effects on Romania’s ranking. Physical safety remained relatively solid, underpinned by ad hoc legal reforms and greater public pressure after sporadic incidents of intimidation. However, the increasingly polarized atmosphere, often fuelled by social-media confrontations, maintained psychological pressure at a high level for the majority of journalists. In reaction, some newsrooms have launched mental-health initiatives or training modules to help build resilience among journalists and better prepare them to deal with online pressure. While there have been incremental attempts to reinforce cybersecurity practices and increase digital literacy, Romania lags behind countries that have invested more in defensive practices and digital education, as hacking and doxing have grown more sophisticated. Lastly, while there has been some public discussion around improving financial security for independent journalism, specifically in the form of grants or dedicated policy initiatives, progress has been slow. Rising inflation and general economic uncertainty have further increased vulnerabilities faced by smaller regional outlets. As such, the interplay between heightened physical and psychological security, newly emerging digital threats, and still vulnerable financial terms remains a standout characteristic of Romania’s journalistic environment. We would like to thank the numerous Romanian public and private media outlets for their invaluable contributions and support.