Romania's media system was hit by the crisis generating massive lay offs, salary cuts and a general insecurity among journalists. Also hit by the crisis, local tycoons see their wealth shrinking. Last but not least, Romanian Culture minister lost his temper and called a journalist "liar" and "moron".
Cotidianul reads that Romania's media system was hit by the economic crisis and generated massive lay offs, salary cuts and a general insecurity among journalists regarding their jobs. The Romanian media industry developed at an amazing rate in the past 20 years, with the demise of the Communist regime, but now, the crisis is a serious challenge.
Despite their experience, fired journalists are looking, without any hope, for a new job. Most of them re-oriented to the online media, using blogs to express their opinions and earn some money. Media schools cannot offer an alternative to this gloomy future.
Simona Popescu, former head of the Political Department at Romania Libera was fired after 19 years of experience within the media. She declared for the newspaper that the decision was unexpected, without any reasons or negotiations.
She added that she wishes to remain the media industry considering that she has been doing this all her life but that at the time it is very hard to find another job. Journalist Tiberiu Lovin, former Investigations Department head at Romania Libera declared that he was fired, on April 1. Lovin decided to transform his blog in a revenue source and work as a freelancer. He has 17 years of experience in the field and the last 10 he spent at Romania Libera.
Media analyst Iulian Comanescu declared for the newspaper that the lay offs are a direct consequence of a massive employment in the media industry in 2005 and 2006. He added that the online environment could become profitable for the youn
