The Senate's Legal Committee gave a favourable opinion on Tuesday to the legislative proposal for amending the law on the organisation and functioning of the AGERPRES National News Agency, which grants the institution the right to establish, manage and fund a Press Museum.

'Today, during the work of the Legal Committee, I had the satisfaction of seeing two legislative initiatives I am the initiator of supported by my senator colleagues, which I consider important for the targeted areas. One refers to the establishment of the Romanian Press Museum, a project I launched in Baia Mare, one of the municipalities that pioneered post-communist media. I believe that a modern state must respect its history and values, and the press represents a pillar of democracy, the fourth estate,' National Liberal Party (PNL) Senator Cristian Niculescu-Tagarlas, chair of the Culture Committee and member of the Legal Committee, wrote on Facebook.

According to him, the favourable vote on the legislative proposal to amend and complete Law 19/2003 on the organisation and functioning of the AGERPRES National News Agency will contribute to the completion of this initiative. 'The approval given by my colleagues in the Legal Committee confirms the appreciation we all have for the importance of the media throughout history,' added Tagarlas.

The Culture and Media Committee is tasked with reporting on this project.

The legislative proposal initiated by a group of PNL senators stipulates that AGERPRES has the right to establish, manage and fund a museum, with the main objective of preserving, archiving, researching and promoting the national journalistic heritage. The museum will aim 'to document and display the evolution of the Romanian press, from the first written publications to the digital age, including newspapers, magazines, technical equipment, archival documents, audio-video recordings and other materials of historical and cultural interest.'

The museum could function as an autonomous structure within AGERPRES, with its own staff and separate budget, or as a public institution of national interest under the subordination of AGERPRES, with its own legal personality.

'To fulfill its duties, the museum may: a) collaborate with cultural institutions, libraries, archives, universities and media organisations to collect, digitise and display journalistic archive materials; b) organise educational programmes and thematic exhibitions to promote the history of the press to the general public; c) organise events, conferences and symposia on the impact of the media on society and democracy; d) access public and private funds, national and international grants for the development and modernisation of the museum infrastructure,' the draft further stipulates.

The explanatory note mentions that 'AGERPRES is the main news agency of the Romanian state, in charge with informing the public, documenting social and political realities, and preserving the journalistic memory of Romania.'

'However, Romania currently lacks a 'National Press Museum' that would offer a historical perspective on the evolution of Romanian journalism. (...) This initiative contributes to the education of younger generations, the promotion of democratic values and the strengthening of historical awareness regarding the impact of the press on society,' the explanatory note further mentions.

Additionally, the Legal Committee approved amendments to the legislative proposal for amending and completing Law no. 184/2001 on the organisation and practice of the architect profession.

'During the discussions, I proposed a series of amendments regarding legislative technical norms, to ensure clarity and coherence in the application of the new provisions,' Cristian Niculescu-Tagarlas also wrote on Facebook. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Livia Popescu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)