Moldova’s Struggle with Press Freedom
Introduction
As the Republic of Moldova inches towards integration into the European Union, Moldovan journalists are grappling with censorship and repression unfolding right under the watchful eyes of EU leaders.
Perception Versus Reality
It may appear to the European community that democracy and freedom of speech exist in Moldova, yet the struggles faced by actual media personnel suggest otherwise. And so a crucial question arises: does Moldova have a future in the EU when reality diverges drastically from perception?
The Picture of Moldova
The majority of polls and statistics paint the picture of Moldova as a country with progressive authorities who uphold the rule of law and promote democracy. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s latest annual Democracy Index labels Moldova as a flawed democracy, ranking 69 out of 167 countries, with a score of 6.23 out of 10.
Numerous published ratings indicate the Moldovan authorities also advocate for freedom of speech and press. This year’s World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), assigned Moldova a score of 77.62 out of 100, positioning the country at 28 out of 180. This marked a leap of 12 places from the previous year.
The Reality of Press Freedom in Moldova
Despite this promising picture, not all that glitters is gold. The Freedom House’s Nations in Transit report reveals democracy in Moldova to be at a mere 35.71 percent out of 100, with a democracy score of 3.14 out of 7, reflecting a neglect of democracy and other European values.
Local authorities allow only those media outlets that portray Moldovan politicians in a flattering light to operate freely. Media censorship is rife, with only journalists who speak positively of the authorities permitted to work, resulting in bias.
Obstacles Faced by Journalists
Journalists face a multitude of obstacles, ranging from state institutions refusing to communicate or comment on requests to being denied accreditation to critical political events. Several were denied accreditation to the European Political Community Summit held in Moldova on 1 June, despite fulfilling all requirements. Access to sources, or rather, the right to information, was restricted to a select few journalists.
The Systematic Curtailment of Freedom of Speech and Expression
Recent times have witnessed systematic curtailment of freedom of speech and expression in Moldova, despite constitutional guarantees of these rights. The Moldovan authorities have categorised citizens and journalists into ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, refusing to collaborate with independent journalists by branding any news unfavourable to the current government as propaganda.
The Impact on Media Workers
With the suspension of broadcasting licenses for “inconvenient” TV channels, numerous media workers lost their jobs and experienced limitations in their freedom to practice professional journalism.
The Misinformation Strategy
The Moldovan government has chosen to suppress freedom of speech and press, sidelining the pressing task of constructing a European democracy. This strategy misinforms not only the Moldovan population but also the international community.
The EU’s Obliviousness to Authoritarianism
The EU, while extolling actions that threaten its foundational values, seems oblivious to democracy’s slippage into authoritarianism, starkly visible in broad daylight.
This Article Moldova’s Struggle with Censorship and Press Repression Despite EU Integration Progress was first Published on World Weekly News
Source: Moldova’s Struggle with Censorship and Press Repression Despite EU Integration Progress
