Romania’s broadcasting watchdog on Tuesday withdrew the licenses of Realitatea TV and radio station Gold FM for unpaid fines.
The two are “Romanian websites that consistently promote anti-Western narratives, undermine trust in democratic institutions, and align themselves ideologically with the Kremlin’s geopolitical agenda,” according to a study by Global.espreso.tv
In a tense hours-long meeting, the National Audiovisual Council withdrew the broadcasting license of the Realitatea Plus channel for fines of 605,000 lei (about 119,000 euros) since 2024.
The vote was unanimous, but two members left the meeting and refused to vote. Before the vote, George Severin asked for the meeting to be postponed to study at documents provided by ANAF and the company that holds the license, but the proposal failed.
The council also withdrew the license of Gold FM radio station, owned by Cozmin Gușă, seen as a Russia-friendly journalist, also a former politician. Gold FM will be closed for unpaid fines in 2024 and 2025.
“Welcome to a dictatorship! Yes, it’s true, our license has been revoked, although all fines are paid…. I told you that this is what they will do!”, wrote Realitatea TV anchor, Anca Alexandrescu.
„The coup d’etat continues: they revoked Realitatea TV’s license, it was the only TV station where we were allowed to speak!” said George Simion, who heads the radical AUR party and was runner-up in the May 2025 presidential election.
Fact-checking organizations Veridica have flagged a number of websites in Romania for spreading Russian-linked disinformation, conspiracy theories, and anti-EU rhetoric—all under the guise of legitimate journalism. Realitatea TV and Gold FM are listed as two of them.
“These outlets masquerade as neutral or patriotic news sources while regularly publishing narratives that distort the truth, polarize public opinion, and support Russia’s geopolitical interests,” the article said.
Narratives promoted:
Delegitimizing Ukraine’s Statehood and Leadership. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky is portrayed as a corrupt, authoritarian U.S. puppet and an illegitimate ruler. Ukraine is presented as a failed, artificial state that should or will collapse.
Sanitizing Russian Aggression and Shifting Blame to the West. Russia is framed as a victim “forced to respond” to Western provocations. Western military aid to Ukraine is labeled as a “provocative” act or “war crime.”
Apocalyptic and Nuclear Intimidation Tactics. Fabricated claims of Ukrainian attacks on Russian nuclear infrastructure. Promotion of nuclear escalation as a rational Russian response to Western actions.
Religious and Ethnic Manipulation. False narratives that Ukraine is persecuting Romanian Orthodox believers. Use of religious framing to present Russia as the spiritual savior of Europe.
Conspiracy Theories about the “Deep State” and Global Elites. Claims that Soros and a transatlantic globalist elite orchestrated the war. The West allegedly seeks to destroy traditionalist societies and provoke Russia.
Undermining the EU and NATO. Brussels is portrayed as a liberal dictatorship that no longer represents national interests (e.g., Romania or Hungary). NATO and EU countries are described as vassals of Washington, lacking sovereignty.
Glorification of Kremlin Figures and Strategy. Frequent, uncritical dissemination of quotes from Dugin, Patrushev, Peskov, and others. Emphasis on Putin’s “wisdom” and “inevitable victory” in the so-called “Special Military Operation.”
Key narratives promoted by pro-Russian media in Romania according to Veridica.
Veridica’s analysis identified the following key narratives disseminated by Kremlin-friendly outlets in Romania.
Romania as a Western Colony. This long-standing narrative asserts that Brussels and Washington control Romania with the intention of morally and physically destroying the country. Russian propaganda and sovereigntist and Moscow-friendly leaders in the EU like Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico now reinforce this narrative, which has its roots in post-communist and anti-capitalist discourse. It aims to erode trust in NATO and the EU, often used in electoral campaigns or to justify Russia’s aggression in Moldova, Georgia, and beyond.
The West Wants to Destroy Orthodoxy. Pro-Kremlin and ultra-religious outlets claim there is a coordinated plan to distance Romanian children from Orthodox Christianity. The EU is portrayed as morally corrupt, pushing “LGBTQ+ propaganda” and gender ideology in schools. This narrative frames Russia as the defender of traditional values, contrasting a “pure” East with a “degenerate” West.
Ukrainians Are Aggressive and Corrupt. Another widespread narrative portrays Ukrainians as willing to sell out to the West, undermining support for the country. It includes disinformation about Ukrainian refugees, alleged rights violations against ethnic Romanians, the “artificial” nature of Ukrainian statehood, and fears that Romania could be dragged into war. Discrediting Ukraine and legitimizing Russian aggression appear to be the goals of these campaigns.
Disinformation as a weapon of war. Russia’s amplified its propaganda war against Ukraine in 2024
