Press Review // Messages for press freedom: "We write for those who no longer can"
The recent presidential elections held last Sunday in Romania continue to be a focal point for national publications. Additionally, the media reports on a symbolic action that took place outside the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chisinau in observance of International Press Freedom Day. Furthermore, 35 years after the "Flower Bridge" over the Prut River, several media outlets published testimonies from participants of that historic event.
IPN reports that in the second round of voting, the ruling party in the Republic of Moldova, the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), will endorse independent candidate Nicușor Dan. In the first round, PAS supported Crin Antonescu, the candidate from the governing coalition, who finished third in terms of votes.
Several publications highlighted that on May 19, the day after the second round of the Romanian presidential elections, a court in Chișinău will review George Simion’s request to lift his entry ban into the Republic of Moldova. Simion recently won the first round of the repeated presidential elections in Romania on May 4, receiving nearly 41% of the votes. He was initially banned from entering Moldova in 2009, as reported by Free Europe, and this ban has since been extended multiple times, with the current ban set to last until 2028. The specific reasons for this entry prohibition have not been clearly disclosed by the authorities in Chișinău. Parliamentary sources informed RFE/RL that this information is classified and revealing it is punishable by law.
The media also reported on a symbolic event that took place in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chișinău, coinciding with International Press Freedom Day. Organized by the Center for Independent Journalism, the event was titled "We Write on Behalf of Those Who Can No Longer." It gathered journalists and civic activists who demonstrated for press freedom and against the war in Ukraine, according to Newsmaker. Nadine Gogu, the executive director of the CJI, stated, “When we say ‘We write on behalf of those who can no longer,’ we are referring to journalists from Ukraine and other countries who have lost their lives doing their jobs, as well as those who have gone to the front lines to defend their country or who have died due to the war. Had there been no war, they would have continued to write, document, and inform. We also refer to our colleagues in Russia who have been imprisoned for telling the truth and can no longer write. We write on their behalf so that their voices are not lost.”
The media landscape in the Republic of Moldova is experiencing a troubling rise in attacks against journalists, particularly in the online environment, alongside a decline in the quality of editorial content, exacerbated by a lack of financial sustainability. These findings were presented by Nadine Gogu, the executive director of the Center for Independent Journalism, during an interview with Moldova 1. Gogu highlighted the increase in targeted harassment campaigns against independent journalists online and urged authorities to strengthen legislation on hate speech and attacks against the press. Another critical issue is the lack of transparency regarding media ownership, especially in the digital sphere, which remains poorly regulated.
A false narrative regarding the sale of agricultural land to foreigners has been reported by the Mediacritica portal. The upcoming implementation of the new Land Code on April 1, 2025, has reignited this older concern about foreign ownership of agricultural land. According to lawyer Alexandru Bot, who spoke to Mediacritica, the claims suggesting that the new Land Code would permit "the transfer of land to foreigners" are disinformation. He explains that Article 21 prohibits any direct or indirect purchase of land by non-citizens. Even in a hypothetical scenario where a landowner leases their property to a foreign operator (although the law does not prohibit this), the owner retains property rights and can reclaim the land immediately.
Several publications revisited the emotional memories of the "Flower Bridge" event that occurred 35 years ago. On May 6, 1990, residents of Romania and the then-Soviet Republic of Moldova were allowed to cross the Prut River for a few hours without a passport or visa, as reported by Radio Chisinau. This was the first time since World War II that Romanians from both sides could meet without restrictions. The significance of that day was discussed with historian Gheorghe Negru, a participant in the "Flower Bridge," who was born into a family of deportees in Siberia.
Photographer Mihai Potârniche was the only person to document the "Flower Bridge" event in color, providing a visual account of the occasion that symbolically opened borders and united thousands after decades of separation. He reflected on the heartfelt moments he captured, saying, “There were heartfelt moments everywhere. I didn’t know where to point the lens. However, I managed to capture those flower crowns. That event was like an impulse that eventually led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.” His images are now part of the photography exhibition “Flowers on the Prut: 35 Years Since the First Flower Bridge,” inaugurated at the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
In good news for educators, Ziarul Național reports that teachers who have been teaching the same subject for at least ten years and hold a teaching degree will no longer be required to attend retraining courses. Additionally, teachers with a minimum of three years of experience will undergo a simplified retraining process.
The Deschide.md portal announced that a new modern college will soon open in the southern region of the Republic of Moldova. This institution will offer specializations in information technologies and electrical and electronic technologies. This is outlined in the Protocol on Cooperation in the Field of Vocational and Technical Education signed between the Governments of the Republic of Moldova and Turkey. As per this agreement, Turkey will assist in furnishing the institution with modern equipment and laboratories necessary for the educational process and construct a dormitory for students.
Moldova 1 reports that the first 100% Moldovan electric trolleybuses could begin production this fall once the initial construction phase at the Trușeni factory is completed. Vitalie Eșanu, the factory's general director, stated that the facility could potentially reach an annual production capacity of 500 units, depending on demand both domestically and internationally. The cost of a Moldovan electric trolleybus is estimated to be around 350,000 euros, and the production will also create over a hundred jobs.
