The European Union is committed to support the mass media in the Republic of Moldova and to contribute to the adjustment of the legal framework in the media sector to the European and international standards, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said in the Mass Media Forum 2016, IPN reports.

“As regards transparency, we are committed to support the implementation of the legal provisions by the specialized institutions. It is very important to transmit the message that the local mass media are very important and we should also reach out to the local journalists,” stated Pirkka Tapiola. In this respect, the ambassador noted that the EU is examining different projects to exchange journalistic experience so as to sensitize and strengthen the capacities of the Moldovan media.

According to the diplomat, when important changes started to occur in Moldova in 2009, a very equivocal picture as regards freedom of the media was noticed. “We saw a rapid growth of media pluralism. But, if we look at the European Council’s conclusions formulated in February, which express concern about the media concentration in the hands of particular owners, this should be an awakening signal,” stated Pirkka Tapiola.

He also said that if a country declares its intention to integrate into the European area, access to objective information should be ensured. Ensuing the functionality and equidistance of the fourth power in the state is a central objective in the European integration process.