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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.

Activists launch Moldova’s first ‘Space Camp’ © Susan Coughtrie

Memo on Press Freedom in Moldova (3 May 2010 – 3 May 2011)

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
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• 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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Memo on Press Freedom in Moldova (3 May 2010 – 3 May 2011)

Word Document, 64K

However, things are not so good as to be part of the group of countries with a free press.

Press in Moldova is partially free. Despite a number of reforms started by the new governments in the press, the guarantees enjoyed by the journalists by virtue of the law are rarely valid also within public agencies or in the relation with public officers. Since 2010, journalists have had the right stipulated by the law to criticize public persons, to publish extraordinary information that can shock or offend, to not disclose sources of information, and to practice journalism free of any interference. However, provided that the Criminal Code does not include sanctions for censorship, the danger that journalists be censored remains real.

In its 2011-2014 governance program, the Executive undertook a number of reforms for liberalizing the media space and for guaranteeing freedom of expression. Among others, the government formulated as priorities passing a new Broadcast Code, stimulating investments on the media market, drafting a strategy for developing the broadcast market, as well as a number of other commitments that would stimulate the development of press in Moldova.

Recommendations:

In order to ensure real freedom for the press, in accordance with the principles of an open and democratic society and in compliance with the international standards, the Moldovan authorities must:

- React and punish the culprits in the cases of assault against journalists, of intimidation and harassment of the press, of violation of the right to speech, and of restriction of access to public interest information;

- To improve the legal framework and to ensure the operation of the effective laws;

- To abstain from exerting influence and pressure over the BCC and public broadcasters and to not admit that various interest or economic groups exert such;

- To implement the media priorities stipulated in the governance plans in the conditions and timeframes set and to avoid delaying or postponing them.