Positive coverage of the EU in the Romanian media

Almost one and a half years since Romania’s accession to the European Union, its interest in EU matters is not what it used to be. The time when comments about EU matters were largely reflected and discussed in Romanian media, due to the fact that they could have given hints on whether they will result in Romania’s acceptance to join the EU in due time or not, is gone. EU’s last two sticks, the special safeguard clauses on justice and agriculture, seem to still raise some interest, although most journalists understood that it is unlikely that something would really happen.

And yes, for the first time, a Romanian institution entered a conflict with an EU institution. 2007 brought about the first direct confrontation among the Commission and the Romanian Government on the second-hand car tax scandal . The Commission rejected the new tax arguing that it would jeopardize the unique market and the principle of competition in car manufacturing. Despite the government's attempt to portray itself as a defender of national interest, the mass-media was apparently not impressed by this argument, but presented the Commission as a defender of the Romanian consumer.

'Romanian politicians’ presence and voice at the level of EU institutions is sublime, but almost inexistent', as a Romanian saying goes. Generally speaking, Romanian representatives at the European level agree with whatever happens, and when a debate develops, they agree with whatever is suitable. This situation does not provide Romanian journalists with too many exciting subjects to write except, perhaps, for the situation of Roma emigrants in different EU countries. The important pages made by monthly scandals constantly refer to EU’s objections against various neofascist inspired positions of local politicians, something that could only improve EU’s reflection in Romanian mass-media.
For the less scandalous part, Romanian’s access to EU funds is the subject that is quantitatively the most widespread in Romanian articles. Usually, the focus from this perspective is on the achievements or delays of Romanian institutions in their effort to access these funds. It seems that EU’s criteria for accessing these funds, although correct, are simply too high for Romania, at the moment.
All in all and by all standards, the European Union is highly positively reflected in the Romanian mass-media. While the Romanian proactive policies in what the European Union is concerned do not exist yet, and the direct reflection of EU institutions is less present, mass-media largely reflect those changes that have to be made in all areas as a consequence of EU integration.

Todor Arpad, Pro Democracy Association, Romania