Half of population believes Moldovan media is censored - poll

About 46% of the respondents of the Public Opinion Barometer (POB) believe that the media in Moldova is not free to broadcast news and commentaries without prior censorship exerted by the government. According to the results recently presented in Chisinau, only 30% of the respondents consider that media is not censored in Moldova. About 46% think that media is not free to openly criticize the government, while 31% consider it is. At the same time, more than one third said that the National Public broadcasting institution “Teleradio-Moldova” broadcasts the events and phenomena occurring in the country in a favourable manner for the government party. For almost 70% of the respondents TV channels are the most important source of information, followed by radio stations – about 10%, relatives – 5.7%. The television is also the most trustful source for 54% of persons, being followed by radio – 13.2%, relatives – 7%, newspapers – 6.4%. Over 6% of the questioned persons said that they are not interested in information at all, or do not trust any source of information. Media is on the second place as regards the trust of the population, being outrun only by the Church.