ActiveWatch: Regional media in Romania is non-existent

The regional media in Romania is almost nonexistent or neglects its basic duty to inform and give a voice to the citizen, shows a recent study by ActiveWatch, which also found the backbone of the informational ecosystem is corrupt.

Some 56 local TV stations from 15 counties were included in this study, for which ActiveWatch conducted around 200 interviews and discussions with journalists editors, managers, producers, owners of local televisions and politicians.

“Judging by the type of content the regional televisions disseminate, Romanians live in an informational desert without realizing it. Theoretically, the local media stays at the base of an informational ecosystem, because the most important information it transmits is quoted by the national press,” reads the study.

On the other hand, the regional media informs policymakers, intermediates pressure on local politicians or represents a source for the international media, according to ActiveWatch.

Issues of regional media, according to the Active Watch Study

– Main sources of information for local media: press conferences, official communications;

– Quality of content is extremely low (lack of resources, proper equipment, qualified workers);

– Journalistic independence is anulled, the regional media instution serves the interest of the owner, who gets involved for indirect or direct gains;

– Lack of qualified employees leads to a cogulation of editorial roles;

– Media workers are often poorly trained and porly paid;

– Trapped in a vicious circle of opportunism and lack of resources, local TV stations lack audience and credibility and they’re not looking to improve their comunities.

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