In a recently broadcast interview, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said his government would do everything it could to maintain peace. Unfortunately for the Moldovan people, these measures have resulted in severe media censorship and democratic backsliding. Using emergency powers introduced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Committee of Exceptional Situations (CES) has been given unprecedented and brute powers to censor media in Moldova. This resulted in 13 TV stations and over 50 websites and online portals being banned without cause, with 7 more TV stations and 2 radio stations set to follow. This anti-democratic behavior has raised concerns among media NGOs around the world and should be a warning sign to EU officials currently involved in accession negotiations with Moldova. There must be greater efforts to protect and educate the Moldovan public against disinformation without violating freedom of the press.
It is undeniable that Moldova faces a disinformation threat from Russia. Various reports of cyberattacks and illicit financing must be taken seriously. But if Moldova is to join the EU, it must learn how to fight these threats while maintaining its freedom. Moldova should be reminded that it is not alone in facing Russian disinformation campaigns.
For example, Finland, which has similar fears about the Russian military and the threat of disinformation, has developed an anti-fake news plan, including working with experts to implement a critical thinking curriculum throughout schools to teach children how to spot fake news. Implemented. Moldova’s neighbor Romania has similarly introduced a specialized online platform tailored to empower and educate citizens to identify and counter disinformation. As a country with a common culture and language now assimilated into the EU, Romania should be a shining example to Moldova on how to effectively counter fake news without trampling on press freedom. If Moldova decides to fight Russian disinformation by censoring the media, they will ultimately fail. Instead, the key to fighting fake news lies in increasing transparency within the media and, most importantly, increasing education and awareness.
It’s ironic that CES’ actions have given the government a monopoly on the media sector. This is a practice that Moldova’s pro-EU parties and EU institutions have consistently criticized in authoritarian regimes such as Russia. Not surprisingly, the situation in Moldova has already gone beyond a simple media ban, with more than 120 cases of threats and direct attacks on journalists and media personnel recorded between 2020 and 2022. Additionally, Moldova’s advertising sector is dominated by groups closely linked to influential government figures. By weakening independent media, the overall media environment is one of patronage and fear.
The government’s attacks on Moldova’s free media environment are troubling in themselves, but especially when viewed as part of a widespread crackdown on civil society. CES’s decision to ban all Opportunity Party candidates from participating in the local elections held last November was canceled by the Supreme Court as a clear and illegal violation of voting rights. The Council of Europe and the OSCE both publicly criticized the ruling, urging Moldova to reevaluate the broad powers exercised by the CES. Banning the opposition from participating in free and democratic elections would silence large sections of Moldovan society already dissatisfied with the government, depriving them of the opportunity to express their voices and opinions. This repression could ultimately destabilize Moldova’s social and political framework, potentially fomenting unrest among opposition parties and minority groups and jeopardizing the country’s stability and cohesion.
Ultimately, Moldova must resist the temptation to fight fire with fire. The ability to criticize the government and engage in fair political competition is a foundation of democracy, but restricting these freedoms is likely to have negative long-term consequences. Instead, there should be greater action and investment to educate the Moldovan public about the dangers of disinformation. It is also vital for Moldova’s future stability that the EU appears to not tolerate this behavior. In an already divided country, unity will become more difficult if the EU is seen as overtly taking the liberal side.
The Committee of Exceptional Situations has wielded excessive power for too long, and as Moldova approaches autumn elections, the legitimacy of Sandu’s government depends on an open, free and fair democratic process.
The author is not aligned with any political movement inside or outside Moldova and is running a campaign with a recently announced NGO to raise awareness of the widespread corruption in Moldovan affairs in general. He outlined some of these views in an interview with Forbes and in comments to EUobserver and EU Reporter.
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