In fact, criminal prosecution for allegedly insulting or defaming politicians and state officials may undermine freedom of expression and can be easily abused for political purposes. Particularly in countries with a poor profile of freedom of expression and media, such provisions are often used to silence critics, while incumbents and the ruling party continue to defame political opponents and journalists critical of the government. Thus, international observers frequently call for the repeal of provisions which criminalise insult, libel and/or slander in favour of civil remedies and non-pecuniary measures designed to restore harmed reputation. Following such recommendations, defamation was decriminalised in Romania in 2006.