The Romanian Association for Local Publishers (APEL) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, created with the aim to support local press publishers in Romania.  One of the strongest press NGOs and the most powerful voice in the local press field, APEL has been active for more than 2 years already. Its programs served the local press community, by promoting transparency of state advertising, better rules in press distribution and by improving local press advocacy capacities.

In the past year, APEL was involved in the Young Journalistst program with the aim of streinghteing local young journalists capacities by being part of a transnational cooperation system.

APEL works also on improving editorial skills of local newspapers. In this field The Romanian Center for Independent Journlism and Bucharest University are the main trainers.

We offer to our members free acces to press informations from all over the world, a news exchange system and a programe of editorial syndicalisation of costs.

APEL is the main local press partner for Freedom House and the Romanian Press Club. In November 2007, APEL will apply for a full membership in European Newspaper Publishers Association (ENPA)

APEL is the main representative for 23 local publishers. This means more than 35 newspapers with a total circulation of almost 130.000 copies daily. APEL receives all of its financial resources from its member newspaper publishers.

APEL’s president is Mr. Marius Stoianovici, the owner of the local daily newspaper Monitorul Expres. APEL has a central office in Bucharest in the Romanian Free Press building.