Every day, Telegram channels spread false narratives on various topics in the Transnistrian region. And this is either about NATO or about Moldova’s integration into the European Union – with or without the left bank of the Nistru. Disinformation and manipulation were also common at the protests mounted in Tiraspol against the new provisions of the Tax Code. Only the representatives of the regime spoke at those events, not yet the economic agents concerned, which, in fact, fully comply with the legal requirements, said journalist Vitalie Guțu, founder of the Security Zone platform that is involved in the Foreign Policy Association’s project “Strengthening civil society’ engagement in national security protection under new hybrid threats”.
In a press conference hosted by IPN, Vitalie Guțu said that one of the basic findings is that hybrid threats continue to be at the forefront in the Transnistrian region. “We should not forget about Russia’s illegal military presence since 1992, which still exists today and poses a risk. We are also talking about the “plans” of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, drawing a parallel with what was circulated yesterday in the public space. Public opinion was fueled with reports about an alleged council that is to be convened in the Transnistrian region next week and a possible so-called joining of the region to the Russian Federation,” stated the journalist.
He urged public opinion to remain calm. “Agitation is fueled, but the people need to keep calm and ponder analytically on all the undertones of this information about the alleged council. We should rely primarily on the reaction of the authorities in Chisinau. We should first of all see what those in Chisinau say and they say that there is no reason. It means we should be a little calmer, but vigilant,” noted the founder of the Security Zone platform.
In his opinion, all this information amalgam comes in the context of the presidential election that will take place in Russia this March, but the people need to think and look at information analytically.
“We, those from the Security Zone, want to fortify the information bridge and fill this information gap. Recently, in Varnita, we mounted an exhibition titled “People on Both Banks” through which we want to show that the people from both banks of the Nistru River are the same. There are no differences. The differences are imposed by the Tiraspol regime, by particular factors, but we are the same citizens of the Republic of Moldova, with good and bad sides, on both banks, with successes and failures. It should be clear that we are the same state, we have the same values, the same tendencies to integrate into the European Union. I know what I say as we talk to the people there and they say they want it. They just don’t clamor because they are afraid. The Tiraspol regime instilled this fear into the people,” said Vitalie Guțu.
The project “Strengthening civil society’s engagement in national security protection under new hybrid threats” is implemented by APE in partnership with Nord News, the European Center “Pro-Europe” in Comrat and the Security Zone platform. The project is funded by a grant from the Institute for War and Peace Reporting with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Note: IPN News Agency offers the right of reply to persons who consider they were touched by the news items produced based on statements made by the organizers of the given news conference, including by facilitating the organization of another news conference in similar conditions.
