The National Audiovisual Council, CNA, which regulates Romania’s audiovisual sector, announced on Tuesday that it is suspending the broadcasting licences of Realitatea Plus television and radio Gold FM.
The decision was taken after both outlets failed to pay fines imposed for repeated violations of audiovisual regulations.
According to the CNA, Realitatea Plus has accumulated unpaid fines amounting to approximately 120,000 euros, while Gold FM has reportedly refused to pay penalties issued since 2024.
The penalties were largely imposed for breaches of basic journalistic standards, including broadcasting unverified allegations, failing to ensure balanced reporting and disseminating misleading information.
Both outlets have also been repeatedly flagged by independent fact-checking organisations for promoting conspiracy theories, anti-European Union narratives, and content linked to pro-Kremlin disinformation networks.
The decision has triggered strong reactions. Anca Alexandrescu, a prominent presenter at Realitatea Plus, denounced the move on social media, describing it as politically motivated and claiming that all fines had been paid.
“The station will challenge the decision in court and will continue broadcasting online,” Alexandrescu said.
The licence withdrawals are not unprecedented. In 2013, the CNA withdrew the licence of OTV television under similar circumstances, after the station failed to pay fines within the legally mandated six-month period.