Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu believes that the decision of the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) on the removal of opinion pieces by some journalists represents slippage from democracy and the right to free expression.

„The decision of the CNA on removal of opinion pieces by some journalists represents slippage from democracy and the right to free expression. Respect for the fundamental rights provided for in the Constitution is mandatory for all state institutions. Opinions should not be confused with information and should never be censored. Everyone is free to agree or disagree with an opinion expressed in the public space,” Ciolacu wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

He added that „it is unqualifiable” for CNA members to justify their sanctioning decisions „on political opinions and personal reasons, and not on the law”.

„The CNA must urgently review its operating principles, and the specialized committees in Parliament must hold a serious debate when they discuss the institution’s annual activity report. The CNA’s main role is to ensure a civilized and balanced framework for public debates, and not to obstruct them or transform itself into a Ministry of Truth,” the prime minister concluded.

The CNA decided, in its meeting on Wednesday, to remove a show produced by Marius Tuca from the YouTube platform, because it violates provisions of the Audiovisual Law.

AGERPRES