A few days ago one of the private commercial TV channels has broadcast a short video showing former PM Emil Boc while getting undressed in a gym locker room. For a few seconds he appeared naked.

On Thursday the TV regulatory body fined the TV channel and ordered its broadcast be cut off for ten minutes.

I don’t really know who was so passionate with Mr. Boc to watch something like this. The TV show anchor motivated his decision to broadcast the images with the freedom of expression and of the press and by the fact that the film is of ‘public interest.’ (!) Is it? He also said the issue at stake was if the PM’s bodyguards did their job properly – well, somebody managed to film the former PM in the locker.

Most of the analysts and political figures condemned the decision to broadcast the short video. I agree and I wonder: what public interest is at stake when watching an official naked? I’ve always been a critic of Mr. Emil Boc’s decisions. I’ve considered him a weak and uninspired prime minister. But these are other issues, far apart from the gym locker room.

I believe Romanian press is on a downward trend. Backed by all sorts of arguments, nowadays journalists bring to front human misery, private issues and salacious matters.

But some still believe this is the freedom of the press. And the freedom of expression.

Is it? I’m asking all of you, the BH readers: how far should these freedoms go?

Maxy