Lavinia Petrea: Behind PRO TV Mornings. Rigor, rhythm and responsibility

An honest interview with Lavinia Petrea about her journey in journalism, the challenges of television, and the values that guide her every day as a PRO TV news presenter.

Lavinia Petrea is one of the most well-known news presenters in Romania, part of the PRO TV team for over two decades. She made her debut in 2003 as a reporter, and since 2012 she has been presenting the morning news, being appreciated for her professionalism and natural presence on screen.

C&B: If we were to look at a narrative thread of your career, what were the key moments that defined you?

Lavinia: Looking back, I believe every stage had its role. Joining the PRO TV newsroom in 2003 as a night reporter was the first decisive moment – that’s when I learned the real rhythm of news, the responsibility of information, and I think I developed my journalistic independence. Then came the period when I worked as a correspondent, including for the Sports department, after which I returned to general news, where the human stories behind the harsh tragedies I covered truly shaped me. Reaching the morning news desk came naturally, at a time when I was truly ready. All the experiences up to that point came together in a clear direction.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far and how did you overcome it?

Lavinia: Probably the hardest moments were those when personal life and professional life were happening at the same intense pace. There are times when I feel overwhelmed, but I go through them, I process them after the “storm” passes. Journalism, especially in television, has no breaks. When I present the news, mornings start very early, and I have to be fresh, positive, and full of good energy, no matter what may have happened at home – for four and a half hours, everything else is on pause. When I work in the newsroom, I leave after 7 PM. It wasn’t easy being out in the field, in the middle of an event, while half of me was thinking about my children who had a fever and were unwell. I trained myself to separate things very clearly, to assess situations correctly, and not to panic. My husband helped me enormously in this regard. Thanks to him, I feel like a strong woman both professionally and personally.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?

Lavinia: I am a very fair person. I cannot stand injustice. I wanted a profession that matters to people, and journalism can bring clarity, explain things, and put them into context. Every morning I think that somewhere, someone starts their day with the information we present, and that gives me a sense of peace. I know how news is made here, how it is verified, where it comes from, how it is written and refined from all angles to ensure clarity and accuracy for our viewers. Yes, this responsibility to inform correctly and fairly has always been my driving force.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey and how do you feel you’ve transformed over time?

Lavinia: I’ve said it many times. At the beginning, I was a shy and insecure child, but perhaps overly serious for someone under 20, and very eager to learn. That early period as a night reporter was when I changed the most. I learned to trust myself, make quick decisions, and stay calm in unpredictable situations. Over time, I became more organized, more disciplined, and more aware of the role we journalists play in the public space. This came with my overall personal growth. Today, I feel like a strong and fulfilled woman who looks back fondly at the young girl she once was.

C&B: If we spoke with your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?

Lavinia: I think they would say I am very disciplined, hardworking, serious, and involved. For me, respect for colleagues and their work is essential. They would probably also say that I am calm on air and that I try to maintain a balanced atmosphere, even in the most tense moments.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?

Lavinia: The decision to remain loyal to journalism and to the PRO TV newsroom where I grew professionally. There were moments when life invites you to take different directions, but staying in a place where I could evolve constantly was, I believe, a defining choice. I am grateful that I had the patience to grow here, and here I am, after 23 years, still happy and fulfilled.

For many viewers in Romania, their mornings begin with you. What does a real morning look like for a news presenter before going live?

Mornings start very early, at an hour when most people are still asleep and the city is quiet. I often leave home still half-asleep, but on the way I talk to myself, I make exaggerated facial movements to loosen up my jaw. Often, I also have to record voiceovers for news produced overnight, and I can’t do that with a sleepy voice. There is a lot of invisible work before going live: discussions with the producer, makeup, choosing outfits, sometimes a button pops off a blazer, or coffee gets spilled. By the time we enter the studio, it’s actually the result of a team that has already been working for several hours.

C&B: What does professional discipline mean in a live format where there are no second takes?

Lavinia: It means preparation, attention, and responsibility. There are no corrections in live broadcasting, and every word matters. Discipline comes from the daily repetition of simple actions: verifying information, staying focused, and respecting the audience. But beyond all that, I believe the most important thing is accepting that we are human, and when we make mistakes or things don’t go perfectly, we shouldn’t punish ourselves for it. Nor should we try to hide an error.

C&B: In a television newsroom, the pace is very intense. How do you stay balanced and focused every morning?

Lavinia: For me, balance comes from two things: organization and family. I like knowing that each morning has a clear structure, and after work I return to a space where the energy completely changes – home, with my children and my husband. They are my balance.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them daily?

Lavinia: Honesty, rigor toward myself, and responsibility toward the public. I believe journalism must be clear, accurate, and balanced, and journalists should be guided by honesty. Every day I try to maintain this direction – to present information without exaggeration, but with respect for its importance. Sometimes it can be challenging not to fall into the trap of seemingly important news that is actually launched by various sources with manipulative intent.

C&B: Is there a moment in your career when you felt this profession truly tested your limits?

Lavinia: Every period of crisis or major events puts great pressure on newsrooms. That’s when you realize how important it is to stay clear-headed and filter information correctly. These are moments that can be exhausting, but they also reaffirm the meaning of this profession. I still feel that I have many resources and a lot of energy, even though some topics can be emotionally overwhelming.

C&B: What are the essential qualities a journalist should have today to work in television?

Lavinia: Curiosity, rigor, and empathy. Curiosity makes you search for answers, rigor forces you to verify information, and empathy helps you understand the people you talk about. Without these three, journalism cannot truly influence society. And I would also add patience.

Lavinia Petrea’s story is one of discipline, balance, and a deep commitment to truth. Beyond the cameras, she remains a dedicated professional who finds purpose every morning by bringing information closer to people.