General ConsiderationsIn democratic states, the press plays an

important role in holding public authorities (executive, legislative, judicial) accountable for their actions

It also plays an important role in the political education of the citizens

This is why press freedom can be restricted only in certain cases (i.e. publishing something that would endanger public safety)

Press Freedom and ResponsibilityIn Romania, freedom of the press and the freedom to

fund publications are protected by the constitution. At the same time press organizations have to prove that they are responsible. This includesa story must be confirmed by more than one source

before it can be publishedthe information being published should not be

designed to manipulate public opinionthe facts must be reported in an accurate mannermost stories have multiple perspectives, a good

reporter will make clear whose perspective he or she is reporting or try to convey the perspective of all the main actors involved in the story

Limits on Press FreedomNon-democratic regimes control the press through

censorship. In short, the mass media can only report stories or news that that meet with the approval of the authorities

By contrast, democratic regimes practice censorship only in extreme cases, such as when protecting public safety or state secrets

In democratic regimes, the freedom of the press comes with the right to reply (dreptul la replica). If the press reports negatively about a person, that person has the right to publish a response presenting their point of view. Likewise, if a person feels their actions have been misrepresented in the press, that person has the right to seek redress through the courts