Bucharest, May 3, 2026: Marking World Press Freedom Day, Romanian leader Oana Toiu said that correct information is “the oxygen of democracy,” stressing that a free press is essential for the survival of democratic societies.
In her message issued on the occasion of International Press Freedom Day, Oana Toiu said she had consistently advocated for press freedom over the past two decades, emphasizing that citizens make democratic choices based on the quality and accuracy of information available to them.
“Democracy is based on choices, votes, and decisions between alternatives and people, but citizens choose who to entrust power based on the information they have access to,” she stated.
She added that journalists do not require praise from political leaders, but rather the freedom to carry out their professional responsibilities independently and without fear.
Reflecting on her recent experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu said a recurring pattern could be seen across the region where civil society and independent media continuously pressure governments to address shortcomings and prevent the misuse of power against public interests.
According to her, this democratic pressure depends fundamentally on access to accurate information and serves as a safeguard against attempts to undermine democratic institutions.
She warned that whenever countries move closer toward democratic values and reforms demanded by citizens, forces opposing progress attempt to reverse those gains.
“Almost always, this obstacle is a binomial: corruption and pressure on the press. One cannot function without the other,” she remarked.
Referring to her discussions with European Commissioner Michael McGrath during his recent visit to Romania, she highlighted concerns regarding Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and the importance of the Anti-SLAPP directive.
Oana Toiu said such lawsuits are often intended not to win in court, but to intimidate journalists financially and psychologically, preventing them from pursuing complex investigative reporting.
She praised the investigative media in Romania for exposing corruption in recent years and stressed that these efforts must continue both nationally and across the wider region.
Concluding her remarks, she reiterated that independent journalism and truthful reporting remain vital for protecting democracy and ensuring transparency in governance.
