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Romania's new Act on the Use of the Romanian Language was published in the parliamentary gazette on 12 November 2004 and entered into force 30 days later. It had taken several years and numerous amendments for the highly controversial Bill to pass into law in its current and substantially diluted form. Article 1 of the Act provides that any written or spoken Romanian text intended for the public must comply with current grammar and spelling rules. Any public written or spoken text in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Romanian translation or explanation. Article 2 of the Act defines the...

In order to combat piracy of recorded music and films as well as software, and to improve the protection of copyright in general, Act no. 8/1996 on copyright and related rights in Romania has been tightened up by the addition of new regulations. Act no. 285 of 23 June 2004 makes provision for the relevant amendments and additions (Legea nr.285 din 23 iunie 2004 pentru modificarea şi completarea Legii nr. 8/1996 privind dreptul de autor şi drepturile conexe). In particular, the level of fines has risen, with the public sale of pirated computer software punishable with fines of between ROL 100 and...

Constantin Cumpana and Radu Mazare are both professional journalists who have been convicted in Romania of insult and defamation. In April 1994 they published an article in the Telegraf newspaper questioning the legality of a contract in which the Constan ta City Council had authorised a commercial company, Vinalex, to perform the service of towing away illegally parked vehicles. The article, which appeared under the headline "Former Deputy Mayor D.M. and serving judge R.M. responsible for series of offences in Vinalex scam", was accompanied by a cartoon showing the judge, Mrs R.M., on...

The Consiliul Na tional al Audiovizualului (National Audiovisual Council ­ CNA), the Romanian regulatory body for electronic media, carried out three studies in the audiovisual field during 2004. Published in three volumes, the three studies dealt with issues including the electronic media landscape in Romania in the European context and various specific topics such as the portrayal of drug, alcohol and tobacco use in broadcasting. The project was financed by the European Union as a means of monitoring the adoption and application of the acquis communautaire in the electronic media field. The study...

The presentation in the electronic media of the parties and candidates in general and presidential elections in Romania is regulated by Acts 370/2004 and 373/2004. Compliance with these provisions is monitored by the Consiliul Na tional al Audiovizualului (National Audiovisual Council - CNA ) and any violation is punished by a warning or fine. Article 55.2 of the Legea pentru alegerea Camerei Deputa tilor si a Senatului (Act 373/2004) stipulates , that everyone is entitled to express their opinions freely, including during election campaigns, provided the means used do not infringe the...