Skip to main content
Accessibility
Freedom House Logo - Torch next to words Freedom House

Primary Navigation

  • Our Issues
  • Perspectives
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
Expanding Freedom and Democracy

Quicklinks

  • Events
  • Perspectives Blog
  • Find A Country
  • Explore The Map
  • Careers

Mega Menu

  • Our Issues
    • Authoritarian Reach
    • Technology & Democracy
    • Promoting U.S. Leadership
    • Democracies in Decline
    • Election Integrity
    • Equality & Human Rights
    • Government Accountability & Transparency
    • Strengthening Civil Society
    • Media Freedom
    • Religious Freedom
    • Freedom of Expression
    • Freedom of Assembly
    • Democracy During Pandemic
  • Programs
    • Afghanistan Human Rights Coordination Mechanism
    • Political Prisoners Initiative
    • Regional Programs
    • Emergency Assistance and Thematic Programs
  • Countries
  • Events
    • Reimagining American Democracy
  • Policy Recommendations
    • Testimony and Advocacy Letters
  • Reports
    • Freedom in the World
    • Freedom on the Net
    • Nations in Transit
    • Beijing’s Global Media Influence
    • China Media Bulletin
    • Hong Kong Media Bulletin
    • China Dissent Monitor
    • Election Watch for the Digital Age
    • Transnational Repression
    • Archives
  • Perspectives Blog
  • News Releases & Statements
  • About Us
    • History
    • Our Experts
    • Board and Leadership
    • Ways to Give
    • Financials
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Manage Subscriptions
Moldova press freedom

Moldova Media-M program

Freedom House is a proud partner of Internews in implementing the multi-year MEDIA-M project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK Aid.

Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability in Moldova

Freedom House is a proud partner of Internews in implementing the multi-year Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability in Moldova (MEDIA-M) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK Aid. Through collaboration with partner civil society organizations in the country, Freedom House aims to boost capacity in civil society to effectively monitor media and to improve the legal and regulatory environment for independent media. Freedom House’s activities address objective 2, which strives to build consumer understanding of independent, reliable, and high quality news, and objective 3, which intends to foster a regulatory environment in which independent media and media support organizations can thrive.

Follow the Freedom House Moldova program on Facebook. 

 


 

Program Initiatives

Access to Information Report

First Edition: November 2021

Access to information is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution of Moldova and the country’s legislation. However, the Moldovan government has not ensured the effective implementation of this right, failing to establish adequate legislative requirements that clearly define the content authorities must share, or to properly justify restrictions on information access. These are among the most significant conclusions of Freedom House’s new special report Freedom of Information Index: Measuring Transparency of Public Institutions in Moldova. This first annual report, published in November 2021, represents the first comprehensive review of the state of access to information in Moldova, and draws on an original methodological approach inspired by international standards and best practices.

Download Report: English | Romanian | Russian
Presentation of the Access to Information Report (Romanian)
Presentation of the Access to Information Report (English) 

Second Edition: November 2022

The second annual Access to Information report uses the same methodological approach to measure the change in the performance of public institutions in ensuring the right to information and introduces a new chapter on the progress of the Moldovan government in implementing the Tromsø Convention. The report’s results reveal that the legislation and implementation of the right of information in Moldova continue to come short of international standards and best practices. Systemic deficiencies in the disclosure of public information as well as inadequate institutional compliance threaten government accountability and require a comprehensive legislative framework that prioritizes proactive transparency and stronger, coordinated enforcement mechanisms.

Download Report: English | Romanian | Russian

Presentation of the Second Edition of Access to Information Report (Romanian)
Presentation of the Second Edition of Access to Information Report (English)

 

Report on Media Freedom in Moldova 2020

In 2020, the legal framework governing Moldova’s media sector remained underdeveloped and poorly enforced, and prominent politicians regularly stonewalled journalists’ attempts to obtain information of public interest, including as relates to the pandemic. These are a few conclusions of Freedom House’s new Report on Media in Moldova, which draws on analysis and data from Freedom House’s Freedom in the World and Nations in Transit publications covering events from 2020. Read the full report here.

Download Report: English | Romanian | Russian

 

Strategic Litigation for Freedom of Access to Information

Freedom House partner Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) defends freedom of access to public interest information in Moldova’s courts, targeting state institutions which refuse to provide information of public record. Each of LHR’s legal victories has a life beyond the specifics of the given cases, creating important legal precedents that will continue to govern the behavior of government agencies far into the future.

LHR’s Vreauinfo.md platform aims to facilitate submission of FOIA requests by journalists and other members of Moldovan society. The platform engages citizens to make use of Moldova’s Access to Information Act by helping to lower the barriers that prevent citizens from requesting information from those in power.
 

Media Policy Forum

This year, the Media Policy Forum was a component of Media Forum 2022, held by Freedom House and the Press Council of the Republic of Moldova on November 22-23, 2022. At the event, experts representing Moldovan civil society, independent media, government, academic institutions, and the international community discussed the latest developments in Moldova’s media landscape including the transparency of public institutions, challenges of wartime journalism, and harassment of journalists.

Media Forum 2022 was made possible by the support of the Soros Foundation–Moldova and by USAID and the British Embassy in Chisinau through the MEDIA-M program, which is implemented by Internews in partnership with Freedom House and the Independent Journalism Center.

Freedom House’s panel discussion featured a presentation of the findings of the second report on access to information and offered the opportunity for experts to examine obstacles to the freedom of information in Moldova.

 

Advocacy Grants: Media Freedom Matters

Freedom House and partners provide small advocacy grants to local organizations to improve their ability to raise awareness about the legal and regulatory environment for media. Campaigns may include swift responses to proposed legislation threatening fundamental freedoms or longer-term advocacy initiatives to educate the public about freedom of expression and press freedom. 

 


 

Program Publications

Freedom of Expression and the Geopolitical Stalemate: Defending Digital Spaces in the Republic of Moldova

moldova digital spaces outline screenshot photo

Moldova, like its neighbors in the region, faces challenges and threats to its national security due to the pervasive nature of media and information manipulation instigated by both internal and external actors. This challenge is particularly acute in digital spaces, where misinformation and polarized debate fomented by trolls and other impersonators seriously undercut the security and integrity of the public’s access to objective information. This toxic informational environment also fosters high levels of hate speech. This policy brief by local expert Victoria Rosa examines the trends and proliferation of freedom of expression online in Moldova, as well as the most acute challenges and threats, with an emphasis on information security. The brief examines the current legislative framework governing information security in Moldova, as well as the important efforts by civil society organizations (CSOs) to identify and draw attention to disinformation and fake news in the country’s digital space. It concludes with targeted recommendations for government, civil society, and the media community.

English PDF            Romanian PDF

 

Reform of Oversight Mechanisms: Bolstering Media Freedom in Moldova

legal analysis moldova audio visual codes report cover

Freedom House engages top international experts to provide analysis and support to ensure that Moldovan frameworks uphold the highest standards for freedom of expression. Freedom House’s Local Representative, Tatiana Puiu, co-chaired the Parliamentary Working Group on audiovisual legislation, which concluded activities in December 2019. The working group contributed to several pieces of legislation that have passed into law, including the National Concept of Media Development, the Law on Attracting Investment for Film and Other Audiovisual Works Production, the Audiovisual Media Services Code and the Information Security Concept. 

 

Download PDF

Media Forward Policy Briefs

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

The Society-Wide Battle Against Disinformation in Moldova

Lilia Cravenco-Zaharia’s brief examines the spread of internal and external disinformation in Moldova and offers recommendations for the Moldovan government, media, and civil society to support their fight against disinformation.

Download PDF: English | Romanian | Russian 

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Informational Space in the Transnistrian Region - Media that Divides or Unites?

Victoria Rosa’s policy brief examines the closed media environment in the Transnistrian region of Moldova in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the so-called presidential election in 2021, looking at how the region’s authorities use the media to advance their own political agenda of self-determination.

Download PDF: English | Romanian | Russian 

 

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Designing Effective Online Regulation for Moldova: Lessons and Best Practices from Abroad

Alexei Marciuc's brief examines trends in the regulation of the online environment in Moldova, considering the extent to which the country complies with international norms connected to freedom of expression, dissemination of information, and balanced monitoring of online content.

Download PDF: English | Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Regulation and Self-Regulation: Two Pieces of the Puzzle for a Healthy Media Landscape in Moldova

Radu Mirza’s brief critically examines the existing regulatory framework for media in Moldova and the interplay between state oversight and self-regulatory mechanisms, underscoring the need for new forms of multi-stakeholder cooperation on media regulation.

Download PDF: English | Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Media Policy in a Pandemic: Lessons from Moldova, Ukraine and Latvia

Authors Anastasia Nani, Lolita Buka, and Gina Lentine examine and compare government approaches to media policy in Moldova, Latvia, and Ukraine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting independent media’s crucial role in contributing to an effective national health crisis response.

Download PDF:  English |  Romanian  |  Russian

 

 

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Privacy and Freedom of Expression in Moldova: A Dangerous Imbalance for Journalists

Patricia Zgihbarta's brief analyzes how the Moldovan state systematically prioritizes privacy and data protection laws, creating burdensome legal and administrative obstacles for journalists to access information of public interest.

Download PDF:  English |  Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons for Media Freedom in Moldova

Veaceslav (Slava) Balan's  and Vladyslav Stegniy's brief analyzes the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on media freedom in Moldova, highlighting the troubling new opportunities the pandemic has provided authorities to stifle the press and the new burdens it has placed on independent media outlets.

Download PDF:  English | Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Why Access to Information is Still a Problem in Moldova

Victor Gotișan's and Natalia Ionel's brief analyzes the state of freedom of access to information in Moldova, identifying political, bureaucratic and legislative obstacles facing journalists and citizens.

Download PDF:  English | Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

The Fourth Estate in the Making: Regulation and Reform of Media in Moldova

Laura Zgihbarta's brief analyzes media reform across Moldova's three most recent governments, examining each successive approach to regulating the sector and the underlying dynamics that hinder meaningful progress.

Download PDF:  English | Romanian | Russian  

 

 

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

A Human-Centered and Human Rights-based Approach to Media Work

Slava Balan’s brief analyzes media coverage in Moldova through a human rights lens, and argues in favor of applying the Human Rights-Based Approach to media work in the country.

Download PDF:   English |  Romanian |  Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

The Mixed Electoral System: A New Challenge for Audiovisual Media in Moldova

Olga Guțuțui's brief focuses on audiovisual media coverage during the 2019 parliamentary electoral cycle, analyzing the extent to which the government and media observed and implemented de jure obligations under the new mixed electoral system. 

Download PDF:  English | Romanian | Russian

 

 

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

"Moldnet" and the 2019 Parliamentary Elections

Igor Fomin’s brief analyzes the current landscape of online media that targets Moldova’s Russian-speaking populations, highlighting the important role of this media in influencing Moldovan popular opinion ahead of and during the 2019 Parliamentary elections.

Download PDF:  English |  Romanian |  Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

Ludmila Nofit's brief identifies negative trends in the Moldovan media environment since the 2016 presidential elections and evaluates the extent to which the same patterns will be followed for the parliamentary elections in February 2019.

Download PDF:   English |  Romanian |  Russian 

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Transnistria's Media in Times of Change

A new brief by Sergei Zveagintsev analyzes the how media in Transnistria remains under the control of powerful political interests. Infighting between elites in recent years has completely redrawn the media landscape, shuttering some publications and changing editorial lines. 

Download PDF:  English | Romanian |  Russian

 

 

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Cultivating Information Resilience in Moldova’s Media Sector

Danu Marin’s brief describes how to combat disinformation in Moldova using emergency management principles and examples from Georgia and Ukraine.

Download PDF:  English | Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Media Pluralism and the Concentration of Ownership in Moldova

Nadine Gogu’s brief explores the Moldovan media market’s infrastructure and how it fuels the concentration and politicization of media in Moldova. 

Download PDF:  English |  Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Seize the Press, Seize the Day: The Influence of Politically Affiliated Media in Moldova’s 2016 Elections

Mihai Mogildea’s brief explains how politically affiliated media outlets helped their owners distort campaign coverage and influence the 2016 presidential elections in Moldova.

Download PDF:  English | Romanian | Russian

Moldova Media-M Media Forward Stock Images

Media Literacy and the Challenge of Fake News

Victoria Bucataru’s brief examines how external actors have created parallel realities and employed deceiving narratives in an effort to manipulate, control, and disrupt the existing order in Moldova.

Download PDF:   English |  Romanian | Russian

Be the first to know what's happening.

Join the Freedom House weekly newsletter

Subscribe

Footer Main Menu

  • Our Issues
  • Countries
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
  • Donate
  • News & Perspectives
  • Reports
  • Events
  • About
  • Careers

Address

1850 M St. NW Floor 11
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 296-5101

General Inquiries

[email protected]

Press & Media

[email protected]

Footer Social Menu

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Footer

  • Manage Subscriptions
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Content Permissions
  • Site Map
@2023 FreedomHouse