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Being for the first time in our country, the European official was impressed by the diversity of the Moldovan media, but pointed out that there are broadcasting issues, i.e. a large concentration of stakeholders affecting the media pluralism. According to the high-level guest, this situation is unfavourable to journalists not only in Moldova, but throughout the world, where they work under unsafe conditions. In this context, he mentioned the need to support the independent press, and the access to information and advertising.
In his turn, European Union Ambassador to Chisinau, Peter Michalko, reminded that the Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the EU has clear provisions related to media freedom. ‘In its relationship with the Republic of Moldova, the European Union gives high priority to media freedom and pluralism, so that citizens have access to information obtained in a free and non-restrictive manner’, Peter Michalko said. His Excellency advocated, as in the previous edition of the Media Forum, for authorities to support print press. In addition, the EU official referred to the concentration of media ownership in the broadcasting realm, believing that a strengthened Broadcasting Coordination Council could also solve these issues.
‘We will further monitor the crackdown on journalists or the unexplained hindering of freedom of expression and access to information’, Dereck J. Hogan, the new Ambassador of the United States of America in Chisinau, told the participants in the Forum. Among other things, His Excellency pointed to the challenges both foreign propaganda and domestic fake news pose to the Republic of Moldova. The US diplomat assured the journalists that the embassy will further monitor the freedom of expression in Moldova, reminding, in context, the latest cases of restricting the access of certain journalists to public events.
Lucy Rebecca Joyce, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, noted that ‘Unfortunately, transparency in Moldova recorded a downward trend in the recent years. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the media is largely monopolised. For these reasons, the UK Government has supported, from the Good Governance Fund, various initiatives related to independent media. Building a strong local and regional media is another key aspect’, Her Excellency said.
Moldovan Media Forum, which reached its fourth edition, takes place on Thursday and Friday (29-30 November) in Chisinau. Besides journalists and media experts, the event brings together diplomats, European officials interested in the media situation and how the press could help strengthening democratic processes in our country.
The Forum is organised by the Press Council of the Republic of Moldova in partnership with the Association of Independent Press (API), Independent Journalism Centre (IJC) and Electronic Press Association (APEL).
