PRESShub România

About the network

PRESShub România is a widespread local and national press network launched in 2018 by the NGO Freedom House Romania. Founded in response to a profound financial and moral crisis that severely affected the Romanian media landscape, PRESShub aims to restore dignity to the profession by promoting journalistic excellence. Today, it stands as one of the most widespread press network in the country, comprising an alliance of approximately 40 local and national media outlets that cover over the majority of Romania’s territory.

Operating under the belief that a healthy democracy requires independent media, PRESShub serves as a crucial resource center for journalists who choose to serve the public interest rather than agendas and political and commercial interests The network provides platform and protection for journalists facing pressures, empowering them to produce high-quality, independent content that addresses the critical informational needs of their local communities. By disseminating this local reporting on a national level, PRESShub ensures that local issues gain national exposure, thereby increasing political pressure to solve community problems. Notably, the network even incorporates Gazeta de Stâlpeni, the only publication in Romania based in a village.

The PRESShub network relies heavily on collaborative journalism and continuous professional development. Its core activities are structured around these major pillars:

• Journalistic Professionalization: Acting as a resource center that provides extensive training, mentorship, and support in digital storytelling and investigative journalism for both seasoned reporters and students.
• Collaborative Infrastructure: Utilizing a virtual newsroom that has been operational for five years, allowing journalists from all member outlets to meet, discuss obstacles, and collaborate on shared investigations.
• Resource & Revenue Generation: Launching the “PressHUB Market,” the first virtual media store in Eastern Europe, which serves as an economic lever to financially sustain the independent publications within the network by centralizing advertising and grant opportunities.
• Advocacy & Protection: Vigorously defending press freedom and protecting local journalists when they face threats or intense political pressure.

The network’s reporting tackles critical issues often neglected by the mainstream press. Their core reporting subjects include:

• Democracy, Politics & Good Governance: Covering public resource allocation (e.g., how European money is spent in Romania), rule of law, and institutional transparency.
• Human Rights & Migration: Highlighting the Romanian diaspora through projects like Connecto, covering the war in Ukraine, and running awareness campaigns like “Stop Human Trafficking.”
• Corruption & Organized Crime: Investigating illicit networks and running specialized series on “Heavy Industries” (focusing on problematic sectors).
• Climate & Environment: Investigating illegal logging and the deforestation of virgin forests in Romania.
• Disinformation: Combating fake news and propaganda through initiatives such as Fact not fake, The Lie Detector, and No Hate.

Network Projects

• The Hub for Data Journalism: Launched in January 2024, this project brings together freelancers, students, and seasoned journalists to develop advanced skills in data-driven investigations.
• Young Journalist of the Year: An established, multi-decade contest that publicly recognizes and awards outstanding quality journalism.
• The Forgotten City (Bring monuments to life!): A dedicated campaign investigating the precarious situation and neglect of heritage buildings across Romania.
• JustitieCurata.ro: A dedicated platform for constantly monitoring the state of the Romanian justice system.

Other projects include: “Stop Human Trafficking” Awareness Campaign or “Journalists against Organised Crime”, Fact not fake, The Lie Detector, No Hate.

Contact
Website: https://www.presshub.ro/

Contact

Website: https://www.presshub.ro
Email: office@freedomhouse.ro