The fifth “Media Azi” Broadcast: Is the Financial Independence of Media a Myth or Reality?

Is the financial independence of media a myth or reality? The host of the fifth “Media Azi” broadcast Ivan Sveatcenko spoke about it with journalist Irina Astahova.

Can the media exist in Moldova today without being financially fed by someone? In relation to this, the following question has been more and more often heard in recent years: Do we have independent media or not?

According to Irina Astahova, the picture of media has changed substantially in recent years; the media market has become more diverse, just like the media outlets’ sources of funding. However, the funding usually comes for certain assignments, including ideological commands, while the media becomes an instrument of politicians’ influence, and not proper information. “We got to a point where the journalism of facts transformed into the journalism of opinion and manipulation,” the guest said.

Regarding the independence of Moldovan media, the journalist finds that it would be more appropriate to use the term of professional journalism than independent journalism. “The term of independence in our country is quite compromised. Nearly everyone calls themselves independent, but they in fact defend certain positions or interests and present them as the truth,” Irina Astahova claimed in the broadcast. In her opinion, professional journalism in Moldova “is rare, but it exists.”

Please note that “Media Azi” broadcasts appear weekly and are produced by the Department of Campaigns and Production of the Independent Journalism Center.