IPI urges probe into smear campaign against Romanian reporter

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 17 January 2026 |  JP Global Monitoring Desk

IPI says Romanian investigative reporter Emilia Sercan was targeted by a coordinated online smear campaign with harassment and death threats, and urges authorities and platforms to open an impartial investigation to ensure accountability.

Summary

BUCHAREST — Romanian investigative journalist Emilia Sercan has been targeted by a coordinated online smear campaign that included harassment and death threats, prompting calls from press freedom groups for authorities to act. The International Press Institute said the attacks represent a serious threat to media freedom and personal safety and require an impartial investigation.

Sercan, known for her reporting on academic plagiarism and corruption, has faced sustained online abuse that press advocates say appears organized and designed to intimidate and discredit her work. The campaign has played out across digital platforms, amplifying threats and personal attacks that go beyond criticism of her reporting.

Threats and calls for accountability

The International Press Institute said publicly available threats against Sercan warrant urgent attention from law enforcement and social media companies. IPI emphasized that journalists must be able to work without fear of violence or retaliation, particularly when reporting on issues of public interest.

Press freedom organizations have warned that online harassment can quickly escalate into offline harm, especially when threats are explicit. In Sercan’s case, IPI said the nature and volume of the messages point to a coordinated effort rather than isolated incidents, raising concerns about impunity for those responsible.

Broader pattern of digital intimidation

The case reflects a broader pattern across Europe and beyond, where investigative journalists are increasingly targeted through digital smear campaigns, doxxing, and threats. Media watchdogs have documented how such tactics are used to undermine credibility, deter sources, and exhaust reporters psychologically.

While online abuse has become a common risk for journalists, press freedom groups note that death threats cross a clear legal threshold and require a robust response. They argue that failure to investigate and prosecute such cases contributes to a climate in which attacks on the press are normalized.

IPI said a transparent investigation would send a signal that intimidation of journalists will not be tolerated. The organization also urged platforms to enforce their own rules against threats and coordinated harassment, and called on European institutions to strengthen protections for journalists facing digital violence.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on publicly available statements and alerts issued by the International Press Institute and other press freedom organizations.

PHOTO: X (@emiliasercan)

KEY POINTS:

• Emilia Sercan targeted by a coordinated online smear campaign with harassment and death threats.
• The International Press Institute says the threats warrant an impartial investigation.
• Abuse appears organized to intimidate and discredit her reporting on plagiarism and corruption.
• Press groups urge law enforcement and social media platforms to act to prevent escalation and impunity.
• The case reflects a wider pattern of digital intimidation against investigative journalists in Europe.