EditCPJ condemns escalating threats against Romanian journalist Emilia Șercan amid plagiarism scandal
The outcome could set a precedent for how Romania handles threats to investigative journalism in an era of increasing political polarization
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a strong condemnation of the threats and online harassment directed at Romanian investigative journalist Emilia Șercan, urging authorities to launch a swift and transparent investigation.
The backlash follows Șercan’s explosive exposé alleging widespread plagiarism in the doctoral thesis of Romania’s Justice Minister, Radu Marinescu, highlighting ongoing challenges to press freedom and academic integrity in the country.
The exposé that sparked the controversy
On 12 January, Șercan, a senior editor at the independent outlet PressOne, published a detailed investigation claiming that over half of Marinescu’s 2009 PhD thesis, titled “The System of Evidence in Civil Proceedings,” was plagiarized.
According to the report, 140 out of 247 pages consisted of unattributed content lifted from various sources, including 62 pages from Florea Măgureanu’s 1998 book, 26 pages from Maria Fodor’s 2006 work, and 53 pages from a 1996 book by Radu Dumitru and Dan Tudurache.
The analysis, conducted manually due to the lack of digitized sources, also revealed inconsistencies in footnotes, mechanical errors, and outdated case law.
EUalive, a European media partnered with PressOne, was among the first to report on the allegations, framing them as a significant blow to Romania’s justice system.
Șercan further critiqued Marinescu’s defences in a follow-up op-ed, describing them as evasive tactics that perpetuate a culture of impunity among Romania’s elite.
Other publications, such as The Romania Journal, echoed these findings, noting that the plagiarism verdict stemmed from a “rigorous, long-term” examination.
Marinescu, a member of the Social Democratic Party, has vehemently denied the accusations, asserting that his work complied with academic standards at the time under his supervisor’s guidance.
He argued that the copied material involved “intellectual reconfiguration” and dismissed the timing of the exposé as a politically motivated attack.
The minister has also threatened legal action against Șercan and referenced a 2022 Constitutional Court ruling that bars re-evaluations of theses, as well as prior validations by national academic bodies
Romania’s Prime Minister has downplayed the scandal, reportedly to avoid internal political tensions.
Wave of threats and harassment
In the days following the publication, Șercan received hundreds of anonymous messages filled with insults, misogynistic abuse, violent language, and explicit death threats.
The harassment is believed to stem from retaliatory comments by Marinescu and other party politicians, fuelling a coordinated smear campaign online.
This incident echoes a 2022 episode where Șercan faced similar threats, including the dissemination of intimate photos, after accusing then-Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă of plagiarism in his dissertation.
Mapping Media Freedom documented the recent attacks as part of an “intense smear campaign,” including death threats, in the immediate aftermath of her reporting.
CPJ’s call for action and broader reactions
CPJ’s Europe representative, Attila Mong, emphasized the need for accountability, stating that Romanian authorities must “hold those responsible to account, ensure Șercan’s safety, and examine allegations of official involvement.”
The organization highlighted the public-interest value of Șercan’s work on academic corruption and warned that such threats create a chilling effect on journalists exposing abuses of power.
CPJ has reached out to Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Justice Ministry for comment but received no response.
The outcry extends beyond CPJ. The International Press Institute (IPI) has condemned the “online smears, harassment, and death threats” against Șercan, calling for an impartial investigation into the coordinated campaign.
IFEX reported a “new wave of harassment” targeting the journalist, underscoring the role of political figures in amplifying the attacks.
These responses reflect growing international concern over press freedom in Romania, where public trust in the justice system remains low at just 24%, according to a recent poll.
Implications for Romanian journalism and politics
This scandal not only questions Marinescu’s fitness to oversee judicial appointments but also exposes deeper systemic issues in Romanian academia and politics, particularly the lax oversight of theses from 1990 to 2016.
Șercan’s investigations have repeatedly spotlighted plagiarism among high-ranking officials, prompting debates on equity and accountability. As pressure mounts on President Nicușor Dan to address the matter, the case serves as a litmus test for Romania’s commitment to protecting journalists and upholding ethical standards in public office.
International watchdogs like CPJ, IPI, and IFEX continue to monitor the situation, advocating for Șercan’s protection and a thorough probe into potential official complicity.
Caption: Emilia Șercan, CPJ website
Updated: January 24, 2026 - 08:46
