Expert: Moldovan media under pressure: harassment, online attacks and poor funding
The media in the Republic of Moldova is experiencing a concerning rise in attacks on journalists, particularly online, alongside a deterioration in the quality of editorial content. This situation is compounded by a lack of financial sustainability. Nadine Gogu, the executive director of the Center for Independent Journalism, shared these findings in an interview with Moldova 1.
The expert highlighted the increasing harassment of independent journalists in the online space, stating, “We see targeted campaigns against journalists, and the authorities must tighten legislation on hate speech and attacks on the media.”
Another crucial aspect is the lack of transparency concerning media ownership, particularly in the digital environment, which is not effectively regulated. Nadine Gogu pointed out that the Republic of Moldova’s drop in the “Reporters Without Borders” ranking does not signify a dramatic decline but rather a natural adjustment in light of developments in other countries.
According to her, the decline in the quality of journalism is evident in both international assessments and internal reports, with many media companies lacking the capacity to produce their content. “It is a serious problem. The media does not have sufficient resources to conduct quality journalism, and the authorities should implement supportive policies, including fiscal incentives.”
Despite these challenges, a new law on public access to information was adopted last year. Proper implementation of this law could lead to significant improvements in the relationship between the media and state institutions, she concluded.
We remind you that the Memorandum on Freedom of the Press in the Republic of Moldova was recently launched. The document states that, from May 3, 2024, to May 3, 2025, the media in our country continued to face serious problems: intensification of attacks and online harassment of journalists during election campaigns, pressure on reporters in the Gagauz autonomy, and on the left bank of the Nistru.
Today, dozens of journalists protested against pressure and attacks on the independent media. The action, which read, "We write on behalf of those who can no longer," was in solidarity with journalists oppressed by the Kremlin regime.
