Nine O’Clock had the honor of welcoming H.E. Mr. Kap-soo Rim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea,as keynote speaker at the “Voices of Diplomacy and Leadership” event, organized to mark the newspaper’s 34th anniversary and the launch of the special edition “Top Interviews, Messages & Speeches from Ambassadors and CEOs, 2025.” The event took place on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, hosted by the Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Lili Evangelia Grammatika, at the Embassy of Greece in Bucharest, and organized by Mr. Mihai Manea, Founder of Manpres and Owner of Nine O’Clock.
In his address, Ambassador Rim reflected on the enduring value of responsible journalism and highlighted the essential role Nine O’Clock has played for more than three decades in connecting Romania with the world. Below, we invite you to read the full speech delivered by H.E. Kap-soo Rim at the “Voices of Diplomacy and Leadership” event.
Speech for the 34th Anniversary of Nine O’Clock
Mr. Mihai Manea, CEO of the Nine O’Clock
Fellow Ambassadors and colleagues,
Distinguished guests,
It is a great pleasure to join you today in celebrating the 34th anniversary of Nine O’Clock. I must confess that my mornings would not be complete without reading Nine O’Clock over a cup of coffee, it has truly become part of my daily routine.
Over the years, Nine O’Clock has become not only a voice of Romania in the world, but also a pillar of responsible journalism. When the newspaper was founded in 1991, Romania stood at a historic crossroads, emerging from the shadows of dictatorship and stepping into the light of democracy, free expression, and openness. It was a moment when the world sought to understand the new Romania, and Nine O’Clock rose to that challenge.
As the first and only English-language daily newspaper in Romania, Nine O’Clock opened a window for international audiences to witness this nation’s remarkable transformation. That legacy continues today, especially under the leadership of Mr. Mihai Manea, who acquired the publication in April 2023. Under his management, the number of editorial pages has doubled from eight to sixteen, a clear sign of renewed ambition and vitality.
For diplomats, investors, and international readers, Nine O’Clock has long provided not just news, but also context, perspective, and credibility. For Romanians, it has served as a bridge to the global conversation, a testament that Romania’s national story rightfully belongs on the world stage.
Today, as we face a world increasingly challenged by fake news, misinformation, and manipulated narratives, a steadfast commitment to truth, integrity, and journalistic independence is more essential than ever. In an age when falsehoods can spread faster than facts, when algorithms reward outrage over accuracy, and when trust in institutions is being eroded, the role of responsible journalism cannot be overstated.
Journalism is not merely about reporting facts, it is about defending the public’s right to know, protecting the democratic process, and fostering trust in one another. For 34 years, Nine O’Clock has played its part in promoting these missions. It has treated information not as a weapon, but as a public good.
For this, I would like to express my deep appreciation to every journalist, editor, and reporter in Romania who pursues the truth, even when it is inconvenient. I also pay tribute to the translators and contributors who help Romania’s story reach the world with clarity and dignity.
Quality journalism reminds us that the strength of a democracy lies not only in its institutions, but also in its information ecosystem, in the independence, diversity, and integrity of its media. No matter how our means of communication may change, the mission remains the same: to inform, to connect, and to serve the public good.
I am confident that Nine O’Clock will continue to stand as one of the democratic anchors of this country, constantly seeking to establish itself as a source of quality journalism in Romania.
So today, on behalf of all those who value truth, transparency, and the democratic spirit, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nine O’Clock on this remarkable anniversary. May your work continue to enlighten, to inspire, and to remind us, in every edition, that democracy depends on an informed citizenry and on courageous journalists who refuse to compromise the truth.
Happy 34th anniversary. May the next 34 years be just as bold, just as principled, and just as vital to Romania’s democratic journey.
Congratulations Nine O’Clock and Mihai Manea!
Thank you, 🇬🇷 Ambassador Lili Grammatika for hosting!”
The diplomatic daily newspaper Nine O’Clock does not assume responsibility for the information received and published on the public website. The responsibility for the content lies solely with the issuer of the press release.
The diplomatic daily newspaper Nine O’Clock cannot be held accountable for false information transmitted by the recipients of the press releases/announcements.
The diplomatic daily newspaper Nine O’Clock reserves the right not to publish press releases that contain inappropriate expressions or accusations and violations of the rights of other individuals, guaranteed by the Constitution of Romania.
The content of the website http://www.nineoclock.ro is intended for public information. Copying, reproduction, recompilation, modification, as well as any form of content exploitation from this website are prohibited. The use of the Comments section signifies your agreement to abide by the terms and conditions regarding the publication of comments on http://www.nineoclock.ro.
