Romanian Liberal VP Criticizes New Civil Code Provisions On Press

Nicolai criticized the Government for approving the code without submitting it to public debate, noting that such acts are reminiscent of totalitarian societies. She condemned provisions such as the right to a retort and the ban applicable on writing about a certain person, institution or policy.

The former Liberal senator claimed that this is the first Civil Code to make the public “be afraid of having opinions about what is going on.”

Justice Minister Catalin Prediou rejected Nicolai’s accusations and claimed that there is no intention of restricting journalists’ rights.

Members of the Romanian Press Club, the Romanian Journalist Association, the Romanian Journalist Federation MediaSind and the European Journalist Federation also protested against the new Civil Code’s provisions on the press.