About us

The Independent Journalism Center (IJC) is one of the first media organizations in Moldova. It was founded in 1994 as a project of the Open World House, and in 1998 it became an independent organization.

Currently, the IJC defines its mission through the prism of democratic values by contributing to the consolidation of free and viable media—including new media—by means of training programs for journalists, media education, advocacy campaigns, research, and non-profit journalistic products. From a legal point of view, the IJC is a non-governmental, non-commercial, and apolitical organization.

Over the years, the IJC has launched and carried out various projects to improve both working conditions for journalists in Moldova and the national legal framework governing the media. Also, various actions have been conducted in support of press freedom or to strengthen the solidarity of the media community and to promote professional ethics.

Since 2016, the IJC has been implementing a new strategy with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency through the Embassy of Sweden in Chisinau aimed at strengthening its role in ensuring professional standards in the media. The new strategy focuses on four objectives:

• Training;
• Policies and Advocacy;
• Media Literacy;
• Organizational Development.

In addition to current thematic events, there are two important annual events organized by the IJC and carried out under its aegis: Press Freedom Days (in May) and the Press Gala/ Journalists Awards Gala (in December).

The IJC currently manages four portals: Media Azi which is used to publish media news, information about IJC activities, reports, and studies; Mediacritica, designed to promote media literacy and critical thinking; Moldova Azi, a multimedia resource providing access to all video materials produced by the IJC Campaign and Production Department; and the website of the School of Advanced Journalism.

Since February 2000, the IJC has been a member of the South East European Network for the Professionalization of the Media (SEENPM) and since June 2001 has been a member of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX).

Detailed information on projects implemented is available at www.media-azi.md in the section Reports.   

Founders’ Assembly:

• Nicolae Negru
• Alexandru Canţîr
• Angela Sîrbu

Members of the Administration Council:

• Mariana Rață  
• Ruslan Mihalevschi
• Ana Gherciu  
• Ilie Chirtoacă  
• Tatiana Savva  
• Ion Preașca
• Galina Vasiliev

Members of the Supervisory Council:

• Elena Prohnițchi
• Arcadie Barbăroșie