Effective from the second half of 2022, newspaper and magazine subscriptions will be paid quarterly and in advance by Moldova Mail, rather than monthly as is the case today. The deal was reached following a meeting between the Independent Press Association API and the leadership of Moldova Mail.

According to a press release from API, Moldova Mail acting director Roman Cojuhari declared that additional agreements will be signed with the publishers. Also, in 2022 negotiations will continue on the packaging and sorting fees introduced by the previous Moldova Mail management and which the publishers consider to be abusive.

API director Petru Macovei said the deal will enable publishers to cover strategic costs such as purchases of equipment or of newsprint in bulk at wholesale prices.

Earlier, API complained to the national authorities that the previous Moldova Mail management “feigned negotiations” to impose “worse conditions for publishers” in the current iteration of the collective deal.