15 September 2004

Alert

SEEMO concerned over interference by media owners in media outlets' editorial policies


(IPI/IFEX) - The following is a press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:

Vienna, 15 September 2004

The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is deeply concerned about recent developments in the Romanian media.

According to information provided to SEEMO, several media owners have been interfering in the editorial policy of Romanian media outlets.

In SEEMO's opinion such practices are endangering editorial independence and putting journalists under pressure. Media owners should agree with editors and journalists on media policy and managerial matters in internal agreements and media statutes.

SEEMO acknowledges the owner's right to define the editorial principles of media, but sees a need for internal guidelines, as it is important for journalists to do their job freely and without day-to-day interference or interpretations. Independent media are crucial for democratic development in any country.



Source:

International Press Institute
Spiegelgasse 2/29
A-1010 Vienna
Austria
ipi (@) freemedia.at
Phone: +43 1 5129011
Fax: +43 1 5129014
 

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Updates to this story

IFJ concerned over evidence that multinational media owners are interfering in subsidiaries' editorial policies 17 September 2004

Romania

Journalists assaulted while covering anti-government protests 19 January 2012 Media are no threat to security, says IFJ in response to National Defence Strategy 25 June 2010 IFJ demands immediate withdrawal and revision of draft law on public broadcasting 3 June 2010 IFJ backs journalists in row over prime minister's attack on media 13 April 2010 Call for withdrawal of Civil Code modifications said to infringe on access to information, press freedom 17 March 2009 See all alerts: Romania


 
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