Ziare

Ziare is the Romanian plural of ziar, meaning a newspaper or periodical. It refers to news publications that report current events, offer analysis, and publish opinion pieces. Ziare are produced in various formats, including daily, weekly, and monthly editions. Today they may appear in printed form, online, or as multimedia platforms, often combining articles, video reports, and interactive features.

In Romania and Moldova, the term is widely used to describe both national and local press. Ziare can be general-audience or specialized in areas such as business, culture, or sports. The distinction between ziar and gazetă is subtle: both denote news publications, with ziar commonly used for current daily press and gazetă sometimes carrying a more formal or historical flavor.

History: The Romanian press emerged in the early modern period with early periodicals and newsletters; it expanded in the 19th century during national awakening, leading to a vibrant press scene in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Under communism, many ziare were state-controlled or party-aligned, and after 1989 the press transitioned toward pluralism, market competition, and digital publishing. Today, most major ziare maintain online editions and engage audiences via social media, blogs, and podcasts, while smaller local ziare continue to serve regional communities.