Romania’s Growing Disinformation Ecosystem: A Troubling Evolution

Romania’s disinformation landscape has evolved into a complex network of alternative media channels spreading anti-EU narratives, conspiracy theories, and pro-Kremlin content, according to recent research by communication sciences experts. This troubling development has coincided with the rise of the “sovereigntist” movement, a political force combining nationalism, populism, and conspiracy thinking that now holds approximately 35% of seats in the Romanian Parliament.

Unlike other countries in the region, Romania lacks direct historical or cultural ties with Russia. There is no significant Russian minority, Romanians generally don’t speak Russian, and Russian media outlets don’t operate directly within the country. Instead, Russian disinformation has found success by infiltrating existing autonomous narratives and operating through proxies, including political parties, NGOs, religious figures, journalists, and cultural personalities.

The situation has deteriorated notably over the past year, with Russian involvement becoming increasingly direct. The crisis reached its peak during Romania’s 2024 presidential elections, which were ultimately annulled by the Constitutional Court after candidate C. Georgescu won the first round with approximately 23% of the vote. Investigators discovered Georgescu had used illegal campaign funds and benefited from Russian support.

When elections were rescheduled for May 2025, Russian officials publicly questioned the legitimacy of the process, while pro-Russian messaging intensified across social media platforms. In an unprecedented development, some public figures, including misinformation agent Cozmin Gușă, have begun openly declaring pro-Russian stances, with certain social media users even suggesting they would fight for Russia in a potential conflict.

The Romanian media ecosystem faces significant structural challenges that make it vulnerable to disinformation. Media literacy remains critically low, with Romania ranking second-to-last among EU countries in this area. A 2022 report found that “Romanians have internalized global conspiracist narratives” with erroneous information often prevailing over scientific or official guidance. Media financing issues and owner interference in editorial decisions further complicate the landscape.

One positive development has been the emergence of a robust independent media sector. While these outlets struggle with funding and visibility compared to mainstream media, their investigative reporting has gained significant credibility and influence.

Government response to the disinformation crisis has been largely ineffective. Despite the existence of a National Strategy for Strategic Communication and Countering Disinformation, implementation of concrete measures has been lacking. Recent interventions by politicians and regulatory bodies like ANCOM (Romania’s Digital Services Act authority) and CNA (the audiovisual content regulator) have drawn criticism for being both inadequate and potentially overreaching.

The legal framework addressing disinformation includes several provisions. Article 404 of the Penal Code criminalizes the communication of false information when it threatens national security, while Law 504/2002 governs audiovisual content. More recent legislation includes Law 50/2024, which implements the EU’s Digital Services Regulation, and Emergency Ordinance 1/2025, adopted following the election annulment. However, critics note that key provisions remain unenforced, and the 2025 ordinance has raised concerns about transparency and free speech implications.

As antisemitic content increases alongside anti-French and anti-Macron narratives, Chinese propaganda has also begun gaining traction, particularly on TikTok. This diversification of disinformation sources presents additional challenges for Romanian society and institutions already struggling to combat false narratives.

The situation in Romania illustrates how disinformation can transform from an external threat to an internal political force, with significant implications for democratic processes and national security. Without improved media literacy, stronger institutional responses, and greater public awareness, the country remains highly vulnerable to further manipulation.