Although We Have No Censorship Officially, the Freedom of Journalists is Limited

Journalists cannot work freely in Transnistria for a number of reasons. Among them are: poor professional skills, the fear to loose a job in difficult economic conditions, in our small media market.

Also, journalists from independent media complain about difficulties regarding access to information. The Media Law says very clearly how one must respond to the inquiries of journalists, but does not specify any penalties in case of delayed response or refusal to respond.

Officially, there is no censorship. However, the journalists get verbal instructions about the angle they need to take when reporting on certain topics, some people known for their habit of criticizing the Transnistrian leadership would be denied space in newspapers, access to radio and TV broadcasts. It matters, given that most media outlets in Transnistria are subordinated to city or district public authorities (whose heads are appointed by the region's leadership). Unlike the scarce independent media, they are financed by the state, which dictates, whose interests they need to protect and what editorial policy they need to have.

There is one more thing: the journalists are afraid of pressure from the Transnistrian Intelligence and Security Service. It is not because they are guilty of something or because they have been under pressure before. They are cautious just because they want to be on the safe side...