Report // 52 Press Freedom Violations in the Member States of the Council of Europe since the Outbreak of Pandemic, Including Moldova

According to the IPI, there is a risk that the frequent attacks against media might become a new normal, given that some member states of the Council adopted measures and restrictions that could affect media for long, even after the health crisis ends. These include arrests (14 cases), verbal or physical attacks (13 cases), restricted access to information (6 cases), censorship (6 situations identified). Several authorities also choose an excessive regulation in the fight against fake news (five cases documented).

As stressed by authors, these threats might affect the freedom of the press in Europe, and the CoE member states should act ‘quickly and resolutely to end the assault against press freedom so that journalists and other media actors can report without fear’. The IPI report also mentions the Republic of Moldova in three contexts: Security and Intelligence Service blocked several anonymous websites; decision issued by the Broadcasting Council Chair, Dragos Vicol, on how media service providers shall cover the pandemic evolution; extension of the period for answering inquiries for public interest information from 15 to 45 days.

The report of the IPI organization, which involves a global network of editors, media owners, and journalists, was sent to Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.