Ro
En
Рy04 May 2021
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The Independent Journalism Center of the Republic of Moldova and eight other media NGOs report that over the past year press freedom in the Republic of Moldova has seen an alarming decline, health authorities have been reluctant to communicate with media representatives, and journalists have continued to face threats and intimidation while carrying out their duties to inform citizens about events of public interest. These conclusions were included in the Memorandum on the Freedom of the Press in the Republic of Moldova from 3 May 2020 to 3 May 2021, a document released on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
The Memorandum reviews issues related to access to information, the security of journalists, poor law enforcement, and financial difficulties that have affected the independent press over the past year.
THE DECLINE IN PRESS FREEDOM IS AT A RECORD HIGH
Between 3 May 2020 and 3 May 2021, the freedom of the press in the Republic of Moldova continued to deteriorate reaching alarming levels. “The pandemic crisis superimposed on the political instability and economic crisis in the Republic of Moldova has generated serious repercussions in the media sector dramatically exacerbating the problems of past years.” The signatories of the memorandum state that, due to the inability of the authorities to inform citizens correctly and promptly, there was also “…deliberate contamination of the information space with fake information about the pandemic.”
The Memorandum also mentions an increase in the number of cases of verbal and physical aggression against journalists including attacks during protests, illegal detentions, false accusations and licentious language as well as legal actions brought mainly in order to intimidate investigative reporters. “At the same time, the alarming frequency of hate speech by high-ranking officials directed at the press in addition to public threats fueled journalists’ insecurity. (...) The lack of an adequate response to these cases by law enforcement bodies is the determining factor in perpetuating these practices,” the document states.
THE MEDIA—VULNERABLE TO POLITICS
The political context remains a matter of concern. According to the Memorandum on the Freedom of the Press, “The Government managed to transform numerous media outlets into sounding boards for their own messages while the independent media was intimidated by political interest groups. Politicians have mainly been guided by electoral pursuits at the expense of ensuring the political stability favorable to proper media activity.”
The legal framework also, “…was neither complemented with new laws nor adjusted to sector needs,” and several legislative amendments proved to be “dangerous and contrary to EU standards.” Additionally, the press remains financially vulnerable: “The economic crisis intensified by the pandemic and social and political instability has had a severely negative impact on the functioning and development of media as a business. The fragile economic independence or lack thereof of most media outlets in turn has affected their editorial independence.”
The Memorandum includes a number of recommendations for government and Parliament that if implemented would help to protect and encourage a free media according to the principles of a democratic society. Among them are the following.
The Memorandum reviews issues related to access to information, the security of journalists, poor law enforcement, and financial difficulties that have affected the independent press over the past year.
THE DECLINE IN PRESS FREEDOM IS AT A RECORD HIGH
Between 3 May 2020 and 3 May 2021, the freedom of the press in the Republic of Moldova continued to deteriorate reaching alarming levels. “The pandemic crisis superimposed on the political instability and economic crisis in the Republic of Moldova has generated serious repercussions in the media sector dramatically exacerbating the problems of past years.” The signatories of the memorandum state that, due to the inability of the authorities to inform citizens correctly and promptly, there was also “…deliberate contamination of the information space with fake information about the pandemic.”
The Memorandum also mentions an increase in the number of cases of verbal and physical aggression against journalists including attacks during protests, illegal detentions, false accusations and licentious language as well as legal actions brought mainly in order to intimidate investigative reporters. “At the same time, the alarming frequency of hate speech by high-ranking officials directed at the press in addition to public threats fueled journalists’ insecurity. (...) The lack of an adequate response to these cases by law enforcement bodies is the determining factor in perpetuating these practices,” the document states.
THE MEDIA—VULNERABLE TO POLITICS
The political context remains a matter of concern. According to the Memorandum on the Freedom of the Press, “The Government managed to transform numerous media outlets into sounding boards for their own messages while the independent media was intimidated by political interest groups. Politicians have mainly been guided by electoral pursuits at the expense of ensuring the political stability favorable to proper media activity.”
The legal framework also, “…was neither complemented with new laws nor adjusted to sector needs,” and several legislative amendments proved to be “dangerous and contrary to EU standards.” Additionally, the press remains financially vulnerable: “The economic crisis intensified by the pandemic and social and political instability has had a severely negative impact on the functioning and development of media as a business. The fragile economic independence or lack thereof of most media outlets in turn has affected their editorial independence.”
The Memorandum includes a number of recommendations for government and Parliament that if implemented would help to protect and encourage a free media according to the principles of a democratic society. Among them are the following.
- The Working Group on Improving Media Legislation should resume its efforts to implement the National Concept Paper of Media Development.
- The influence of politics on the media should be decreased by expanding the independent media sector.
- Public legal and economic policies ensuring fair and transparent competition for media outlets should be implemented.
- Any threat or act of aggression against the media should be denounced.
