Julian Assange Given Press Freedom Award

BUCHAREST - A Romanian online publication known for its editorial independence is honoring Wikileaks founder Julian Assange for his service to press freedom, which it warns is under threat in Eastern Europe.

Cotidianul.ro said Saturday Assange was given the "Free Dacia" award for exposing the "duplicitous behavior of some democratic countries."

Wiklieaks has begun publishing some 250,000 classified U.S. State Department cables.

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Cotidianul.ro said press freedom remains fragile in Eastern Europe, where a Hungarian media law allows for journalists to be taken to court and fined of up to $1 million (€760,000) for reports considered to be unbalanced.

Hungary took over the rotating European Union presidency on Saturday.