Romania’s Ministry of Truth – Journalist Silenced Over ‘Coup d’État’ Remark

The recent scandal of Romania’s Constitutional Court cancelling the Presidential Election is not over yet. While failing to publicly present enough evidence to justify the annulment of the elections, Romania’s authorities prove eager to censor any voice that tries to speak up for millions of people who think their vote has been stolen.

In a shocking move that has ignited outrage across Romania, the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) has ordered the removal of a YouTube video by renowned journalist Marius Tucă. The video, titled “Democracy Has Been Trampled,” criticized the Central Electoral Bureau’s (BEC) decision to eliminate Călin Georgescu from the presidential race, labeling it a “coup d’état.”

All the journalist did was express his opinion to his audience, an act that is no longer allowed in a country that is becoming a dictatorship daily. This blatant act of censorship has drawn comparisons to authoritarian regimes and sparked fears that Romania is sliding into an Orwellian dystopia.

The CNA’s Heavy-Handed Censorship

The CNA’s decision to erase Tucă’s commentary is part of a broader crackdown on online content. Recently, dozens of videos have been removed from platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. Ostensibly aimed at combating disinformation, this campaign has instead raised serious questions about freedom of speech in Romania.

Critics argue that the CNA is overstepping its mandate, acting as a de facto “Ministry of Truth” to suppress dissenting voices.

Outrage following the Decision

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has publicly condemned the CNA’s actions and called for an urgent review of its operating principles. “The CNA cannot turn into a Ministry of Truth,” Ciolacu declared, urging parliamentary committees to scrutinize this alarming overreach. No solid actions taken, though.

In his turn, Presidential candidate Crin Antonescu echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Tucă’s video contained no incitement or violence—only an uncomfortable opinion that challenged the status quo.

On top of that, the human rights organization APADOR-CH has gone further, calling for the dismissal of CNA member Vasile Bănescu. Bănescu’s justification for removing the video, calling it harmful disinformation, has been widely criticized for ignoring international standards on freedom of expression. “This is not regulation; this is censorship,” APADOR-CH stated bluntly, warning that such actions undermine democracy.

Why is this happening in a country that is a member of the EU? Let’s not forget that, according to The Economist, Romania has a flawed democracy precisely because of such decisions, and the current political regime is becoming authoritarian.

The silencing of Marius Tucă sets a chilling precedent for Romania. If regulatory bodies can arbitrarily decide what opinions are permissible, what remains of free speech? The CNA’s actions have sparked fears that dissenting voices could be systematically erased under the guise of combating “disinformation.”

This incident is not just about one journalist or video—it is about the future of democracy in Romania. Will the country uphold its commitment to free expression or allow unelected bureaucrats to dictate what can and cannot be said?

The truth, whether from the infamous Romanian Authority or not, is that any article, video, or interview that doesn’t speak the Government’s or the EU’s version of the truth is about to be cancelled. In fact, this very article, which tells the reality in Romania, can be targeted by the Romanian of Truth—CNA and sentenced to be taken down.