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Freedom of Expression
In the report’s section of “Freedom of Expression, including for the Press,” it is mentioned that “pressure on independent media continued during the year, and a number of investigative journalists reported being intimidated and harassed after publishing investigative articles on political figures.”
The report includes information about limitations in access to information on the websites of some courts, which lasted nearly one year and were criticized by journalists and civil society. Media representatives complained that the option to search for people who appear in court cases was eliminated and that the names of people in the judgments published online were anonymized.
Oligarchic Control
While the print media expressed diverse political views and commentary, an important group of oligarch-controlled media distorted information for their own benefit, the report says.
Also, according to the report, large media outlets associated with leaders of political factions exerted pressure on smaller outlets, prompting journalists to leave the media outlets acquired by oligarchs.
Self-censorship
The report mentions that in many cases journalists practiced self-censorship in order to avoid conflicts with sponsors and with the owners of the outlets they work for.
In Transnistria, journalists avoided criticizing the “foreign policy” of the government in Tiraspol to avoid official reprisals.
Internet Freedom
Regarding Internet freedom, the report finds that Moldovan authorities did not restrict or disrupt access to the Internet or censor online content. Also, there were no reports that the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority. In the Transnistrian region, however, some websites may be blocked by law enforcement.
The U.S. Department of State report also finds violations of the rights and freedoms of Moldovan journalists, which were addressed by non-governmental media organizations. Such violations refer to restriction by authorities of journalists’ access to public events. The report mentions two cases – of the photojournalist Constantin Grigorita, who was prohibited access to the events organized by the Moldovan President Igor Dodon, and of the investigative journalist Mariana Rata, accused by the former commissioner of Chisinau municipality that she allegedly used his personal data in an investigative material.
