NGOs warn of systemic crisis in Moldova media landscape
Nine leading media organizations warned on World Press Freedom Day that judicial harassment and financial instability are threatening the survival of independent journalism in Moldova.
A comprehensive report, covering the period from May 3, 2025, to May 3, 2026, highlights a systemic crisis. Despite recent legislative updates, journalists face online intimidation and significant barriers to public information.
Systemic threats and legal gaps
The Independent Journalism Center (CJI) and its partners noted a decline in safety for reporters covering sensitive political topics. This degradation is particularly severe in the Gagauzia and Transnistria regions, where pressure on independent voices remains high.
While Moldova has updated its Audiovisual Media Services Code, the report identifies a lack of protection against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). Ownership transparency and a coherent legal framework for online media also remain unresolved.
Economic precariousness
The report emphasizes that independent outlets struggle in an underdeveloped advertising market. Most remain heavily dependent on international grants while tech giants continue to monopolize digital ad revenues.
Signatory organizations, including RISE Moldova and the Association of Independent Press (API), urge authorities to adopt a new media law. They demand stronger institutional protection for journalists and guaranteed access to public data.
A global reminder
World Press Freedom Day, established by the UN in 1993, serves as a yearly benchmark for democratic health. In Moldova, the 2026 assessment underscores that legal reform is ineffective without practical safety and economic viability.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
