Court Orders Romania TV and Journalists to Pay Huge Damages to "Dăruiește Viață" Association

A Bucharest court has delivered a significant ruling, obligating Romania TV and several of its journalists to pay substantial damages exceeding 3 million lei (approximately 600,000 euros) to the "Dăruiește Viață" association and its founders. This landmark decision, issued on April 30, 2026, found the television station and its staff liable for violating the dignity and image rights of the prominent NGO and its co-founders, Oana Gheorghiu and Carmen Uscatu.

The "Dăruiește Viață" association is set to receive 500,000 lei from both Romania TV and some involved journalists, while Gheorghiu and Uscatu will each receive 250,000 lei. Journalists Victor Ciutacu, Janos Korpos, and Liviu Alexa are jointly liable with the television station for these sums. Another journalist, Iosefina Pascal, was ordered to pay smaller damages. The court also mandated that Romania TV broadcast the ruling's operative part during its "Punctul culminant" program and cover the plaintiffs' legal costs.

This legal battle originated from numerous broadcasts and reports aired by Romania TV, which publicly accused "Dăruiește Viață" and other NGOs of irregularities and questionable practices. Allegations included "charity mafia investigations," "blackmail," and "profiting from donated money"—claims that the plaintiffs contested in court. The National Audiovisual Council had previously sanctioned Romania TV for similar content targeting these organizations.

While this ruling is not final and can be appealed within 30 days, it represents a crucial moment for media accountability in Romania. The decision underscores the potential consequences for journalistic practices that infringe upon the rights and reputation of individuals and organizations. From a Romanian perspective, this case highlights the ongoing tension between robust investigative journalism and the protection of reputation, emphasizing the importance of fair reporting and the legal recourse available to those targeted by potentially defamatory content.

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The court obliges Romania TV and the station's journalists to pay huge damages.