The Media Freedom Index measuring the media freedom in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries shows that the mass media in Moldova is partially free. With particular progress made on certain segments and with regression on other segments, the mass media in Moldova in the second term of this year had a score of 6 out of 7. Thus, Moldova ranks second among the EaP countries by the freedom of the media, after Georgia. The fifth Media Freedom Index was presented by the Independent Journalism Center in a news conference at IPN.
The Center’s executive director Nadine Gogu said that compared with the previous term (January –March), Moldova preserved the second position in the rankings, but scored fewer points – 1,284 as against 1,340. “Even if we rank second among the six EaP countries and even if we have a score of 6, we have yet a lot to do to improve the freedom of the media,” she stated, adding that compared with Belarus, Azerbaijan or Ukraine, things in Moldova stand much better, but compared with the EU member states, Moldova is not even in the middle of the rankings.
In April –June, the mass media situation in Moldova worsened significantly compared with the previous reporting period. The score in the Practice sector decreased by 56 points. Director of the journalistic investigations publication “Ziarul de Garda” Alina Radu said there were several cases of abuses; a journalist was arrested, while another one was attacked. These and other cases when the authorities launch investigations, but do not complete them resulted in a much lower score than in the previous period.
The situation in Broadcasting has also worsened. Media expert Ion Bunduchi said there are two public broadcasters in Moldova – the national one Teleradio Moldova and the regional one Teleradio-Gagauzia. In the case of the national broadcaster, the score diminished because the company’s ombudsman during three months didn’t appear in public, while the institution hasn’t had a functional Supervisory Board since last December. As to the regional broadcaster, it continues to be influenced politically. The ex-head of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia Ana Harlamenco was elected as manager of this broadcaster, while the members of the Supervisory Board are chosen according to political criteria.
Insignificant progress was made in Politics. The score rose by 4 points compared with the corresponding period last year. Mass media legislation expert Olivia Partac said that among the events that influenced the public agenda of the media outlets are the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU on June 27 and the escalation of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. The necessity of improving the legislation on the access to information became more evident in the period. Insignificant progress was also media in the Internet and the mass media sectors.
Head of the Political and Economic Section of the EU Delegation to Moldova Wicher Slagter said the mass media in Moldova must make more effort so as to be freer. It is very important to lay emphasis on pluralism, especially in the period before the November legislative elections.
The next Media Freedom Index will cover the period between July and September.
