Civic space review of Romania / Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, author, issuing body.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economic development--Social aspects.

Economic development.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Paris : OECD Publishing, 2023.

Summary:

The Civic Space Review of Romania provides an in-depth analysis of national legal frameworks, policies, institutions, and practices relevant to civic space protection. It reviews strengths and areas for improvement, and providing guidance on a wide range of issues. The Review assesses four key dimensions of civic space: civic freedoms, media freedoms and online civic space, the enabling environment for civil society organisations, and citizen participation in policy and decision making.

Contents:

Intro

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations and acronyms

Executive summary

Protecting civil liberties and empowering oversight mechanisms

Strengthening access to information, media freedoms and protected online civic space

Policies and practices to provide an enabling environment for CSOs

More inclusive and collaborative citizen and stakeholder participation

1 Introduction to the protection of civic space in Romania

1.1. Setting the scene: Romania's strategic vision for civic space

1.1.1. Institutional arrangements and main actors with a mandate related to the protection of civic space

1.2. The changing role of civil society in Romania

1.3. Key challenges ahead to strengthen civic space in Romania

1.3.1. Low democratic participation and lack of trust between the government and civil society

1.3.2. Social inequalities, discrimination and social exclusion

1.3.3. Pressure on access to information and the media sector

1.3.4. Online civic space and digitalisation

1.4. Conclusion

References

Notes

2 The OECD approach to civic space in Romania

2.1. Civic space for open government

2.2. Methodology underpinning the Civic Space Review of Romania

3 The protection of civic freedoms in Romania

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Restrictions on civic freedoms during the COVID-19 pandemic

3.3. Promoting freedom of expression

3.3.1. Constitutional recognition and legislation

Defamation as an exception to freedom of expression

Hate speech as an exception to freedom of expression

3.3.2. Addressing implementation challenges and identifying opportunities for freedom of expression

Raising awareness of hate speech and seeking long-term solutions

3.4. Protecting freedom of peaceful assembly

3.4.1. Constitutional recognition and legislation.

3.4.2. Addressing implementation challenges and identifying opportunities for freedom of peaceful assembly

3.5. Safeguarding freedom of association

3.5.1. Constitutional recognition and legislation

3.5.2. Addressing implementation challenges and identifying opportunities for freedom of association

3.6. Committing to equality and non-discrimination

3.6.1. Constitutional recognition and legislation

Key national strategies and other government actions

3.6.2. Addressing implementation challenges and identifying opportunities for equality and non-discrimination

Improving the inclusion of ethnic minorities, including the Roma community

Ensuring equal participation for persons with disabilities

Countering discrimination against the LGBTI community

Strengthening gender equality and combating violence against women

3.7. Empowering oversight mechanisms to promote civic freedoms

3.7.1. Non-judicial complaints mechanisms

The People's Advocate (ombudsman)

The National Supervisory Authority for Personal Data Processing (ANSPDCP)

The National Council for Combating Discrimination

Addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for oversight bodies

3.7.2. Strengthening the role of the judicial system in protecting civic space

Improving the independence, quality and efficiency of the judicial system

4 Media freedoms and civic space in the digital age in Romania

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Access to information

4.2.1. Constitutional recognition and existing legal frameworks

4.2.2. Addressing barriers to ATI across the public administration

4.2.3. Ensuring ATI is inclusive

4.3. Press freedom

4.3.1. Legal and regulatory frameworks

4.3.2. The current status of press freedom and journalistic freedom of expression.

4.3.3. Tackling challenges to free and pluralistic media

Political pressure, censorship and self-censorship

Transparency of media ownership

Combatting online restrictions on freedom of expression and press freedom

Promoting media literacy and combatting mis- and disinformation

Reducing barriers for journalists and media outlets

SLAPPs being used to deny information and silence journalists

The GDPR restricting ATI

Recognising and addressing hate speech and harassment targeting journalists

Establishing centralised support for the media sector

4.4. Digitalisation, personal data protection and online civic space

4.4.1. Ongoing initiatives and programmes for digitalisation in Romania

Internal challenges to implementing Romania's digital agenda

Strengthening the institutional architecture

Increasing knowledge and skills among public officials and attracting talent

4.4.2. Reducing barriers to inclusive digitalisation

Expanding Internet coverage and usage

Bridging digital divides by enhancing ICT literacy

4.4.3. Protecting personal data and privacy

Legal frameworks

Institutional frameworks and constraints

4.5. Emerging technology and civic space

4.5.1. Use of AI in the public sector and its potential impact on civic space

4.5.2. Ongoing strategies and initiatives for AI

5 The enabling environment for civil society organisations in Romania

5.1. Introduction

5.1.1. An introduction to the civil society sector in Romania

Overview of the CSO landscape in Romania

Available data on the sector

5.1.2. Strengthening partnerships with the civil society sector

5.2. Key legal and policy frameworks governing freedom of association and their implementation

5.2.1. Streamlining the registration process for CSOs

5.2.2. Reviewing public utility status for CSOs.

Increasing the value and benefits of public utility status

5.2.3. Improving access to funding for CSOs

Addressing uneven access to funding in practice

Ensuring the autonomy of CSOs

5.2.4. Unlocking the potential of Romania's Open Government Strategy

6 Citizen and stakeholder participation in Romania

6.1. Introduction

6.2. The general context for citizen and stakeholder participation in Romania

6.2.1. Stakeholder perceptions of participation practice

6.3. Key legal and policy frameworks and institutions governing participation

6.3.1. Public consultations on draft normative acts

6.3.2. Participation in public meetings

6.3.3. Social dialogue commissions and other forms of consultative bodies

6.4. Making participatory practices more effective and inclusive

6.4.1. Improving participatory processes for greater impact

Enhancing online participation portals

Improving planning and communication before, during and after citizen and stakeholder consultations

Involving citizens and stakeholders in decision-making at an earlier stage

Introducing transparent and responsive feedback and evaluation mechanisms

6.4.2. Strengthening participation at the sub-national level

6.4.3. Creating opportunities for more inclusive dialogue with citizens and CSOs, involving underrepresented and marginalised groups

6.4.4. Reducing the use of emergency ordinances

6.5. Adopting new and innovative approaches to citizen and stakeholder participation in Romania

6.5.1. Promoting innovation and cross-government learning on participation

Notes.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

92-64-52949-7

92-64-70621-6