World IN BRIEF : ROMANIA : Government to Stop Funding Television

The government, responding to journalists’ complaints that it was attempting to control the press, said it would stop subsidizing Romania’s state-run television. A government statement said it respects the right of the press to air divergent opinions but added that freedom of expression “does not require irreverence toward the government.” The statement said the government will release no funds to cover the state television’s debt, estimated at $2.8 million. It said the money would go to welfare programs instead.