Romania: RSF Demands Thorough Probe into ‘Kompromat’ Campaign Against Journalist Emilia Șercan

September 16, 2024 – Romania – 

In an open letter, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), alongside nearly 40 media outlets and rights organizations, called on Romanian authorities to launch a comprehensive and independent investigation into the highly orchestrated smear campaign targeting investigative journalist Emilia Șercan.

The campaign—commonly referred to as a “kompromat” operation—involved the illicit dissemination of intimate photos of Șercan. These images had been stolen and distributed widely online, a tactic designed to intimidate and discredit her following her exposure of plagiarism among high-level Romanian officials.

While a Bucharest court did eventually order the reopening of the case, RSF stresses that the earlier investigation was critically flawed. Authorities demonstrated “terrible procedural errors,” according to Pavol Szalai, RSF’s head of EU/Balkans desk. Urgent action, the letter warns, is necessary to prevent a repeat of the earlier botched approach.

The open letter was addressed to several high-level officials, including the public prosecutor, three ministers, and the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, demanding measures to ensure that evidence is handled transparently, leaks are traced, and perpetrators face justice.

RSF and its media allies stress that journalists must have equal protection under the law. The swift response by police in a separate case—where threats were directed at Șercan in April—highlighted the disparity in handling such abuses. They call for that speed and professionalism to apply to all threats and violations against journalists in Romania.

The stakes are high: allowing impunity in this case could normalize coordinated character assassination efforts—especially leveraging intimate or private materials—against journalists. Such tactics have the potential to chill investigative reporting and undermine press freedom in the country.

In urging authorities to quash institutional leniency, RSF emphasizes that only a transparent, well-resourced, and impartial investigation can restore trust in Romania’s justice system and safeguard media independence. The next steps will test Romania’s ability to confront political interference, protect free speech, and hold individuals accountable for abuses against the press.