Gheorghe Russu

Vice-director, The Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption

Investigations. Surveys. Reporting

Parties-Phantoms, Parties - State Institutions, Parties - State Enterprises

Ion PREAŞCĂ

20 parties have registered in the current election campaign. Many people say it is a too big number for such a small country as Moldova. At the same time, much more parties could take part in the election campaign.

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Memorandum on the freedom of the press in the Republic of Moldova May 3, 2008 – May 3, 2009

Press freedom in the Republic of Moldova is in danger, as it is systematically, methodically and abusively barred by the state authorities.

azi.md, 14 May 2009, 16:40

Headlines

"Moldova Azi" information portal is changing its format and editorial content, Centrul pentru Jurnalism Independent, 8 August 2011, 15:19
Moldovan students queue up to apply for scholarships in Romania, Info-Prim Neo, 4 August 2011, 13:44
Ukrainian scholarships not very popular in Moldova, Info-Prim Neo, 2 August 2011, 14:58
Kent Larson: USAID will always support process of Moldova democratization, INFOTAG, 1 August 2011, 13:42
Parliament sets up new commission - for checking civil servants' property and incomes, INFOTAG, 29 July 2011, 9:00
Scandal in Moldovan parliament over deputies' relatives, INFOTAG, 29 July 2011, 9:00

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Although over recent years the media legislation in the Republic of Moldova has improved with the help of international organizations and civil society, and is now in line with European standards and norms, the actual state of press freedom has gradually deteriorated. The worst situation ever was during the 2009 parliamentary election campaign and the period following the elections.

Violations and breaches of laws has become the rule, rather than an exception in the Republic of Moldova. The fact that Moldova ranks 150th, among countries without „free” press in the Press Freedom in the World survey issued by Freedom House, is the consequence of an anti-democratic attitude of Moldovan authorities, and their refusal to recognize the press as the fourth power of the state, and of permanent attempts to transform the press into a „party organizer” or „collective propagandist”, just like in the Soviet period.

Intimidation, harassment and pressure on journalists and media organizations have become customary for authorities, to which Moldovan society reacts rarely and weakly. The pro-European rhetoric, assurances to respect pluralism, freedom of the press and freedom of expression and access to public information are not supported by specific actions. In reality, rhetoric is used as a smokescreen for the shrinking space of liberty, as a means to monopolize mass media by strengthening the press loyal to the governing party. While the few independent media organizations are discriminated against, harassed and intimidated through various means, and barred from developing by denying them licenses and frequencies, the pro-communist media are stimulated and encouraged, given priority access to information and treated preferentially when applying for increase of their area of coverage. While the loyal press enjoys direct and indirect financial assistance, including advertising from public funds, the independent press makes desperate efforts to survive.

The members of the Broadcasting Coordinating Council (CCA), which, according to the law, must be an independent institution, are selected on political rather than professional criteria. The decisions CCA takes are detrimental to the media unloyal to the government.

Contrary to pledged commitments, the Teleradio-Moldova Company does not develop at all as a public media outlet. It behaves more and more like a propaganda tool of the government, hugely limiting the access of opposition parties and civil society representatives who have different opinions than the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), and ignoring and even deliberately discrediting its opponents. The political, economic and cultural realities are reflected in a partisan, biased way, while the grave problems facing Moldovan society are ignored.

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