Freedom of expression and media pluralism in the Republic of Moldova remain a priority for the Council of Europe and reinforced by the Council of Europe Action Plan for Moldova 2025-2028.

Starting from the beginning of January 2025, the Council of Europe launched a new Project in Chisinau in the field of freedom of expression and media pluralism - “Advancing media freedom in the Republic of Moldova”.

The project is built on significant outcomes in advancing and cementing reforms in the media sector already achieved by the Council of Europe Project “Support for Media Pluralism and Freedom of Expression in the Republic of Moldova” (implemented in 2022-2024).

 What is the goal and objective of the action?

The project “Advancing media freedom in the Republic of Moldova” aims to further support strengthening freedom of expression and capacity of the audiovisual regulator, public broadcaster, ongoing institutionalized efforts of Moldovan authorities in in countering information disorder, improving media literacy, strengthening the society’s resilience against disinformation campaigns as well as implementation of legislation on access to information and includes three main components:

Component 1: Further improvement of audiovisual, media, and access to information regulatory legal framework in light of previous Council of Europe recommendations and requirements of the EU accession talks and support for its implementation.

Component 2: Strengthening the capacities of media professionals, independence of the public service broadcaster and its documentary films department.

Component 3: Building capacity of national authorities and civil society in countering information disorder, raising media literacy and public awareness in this area. 

 Budget: EUR 2 000 000. The Project is funded by the voluntarily contributions of donors in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028.

 Duration of the project: 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2028 (48 months)

 Leaflet of the project „Advancing Media Freedom in the Republic of Moldova”.

 Who benefits from the action?

• Ministry of Culture
• Parliamentary Committee for mass media
• State Chancellery
• Audiovisual Council
• Centre for Strategic Communication and Combating Disinformation
• Public Service Broadcaster (Teleradio-Moldova)
• Telefilm-Chisinau
• Media outlets
• Media civil society organisations

 How does the action work?

Through a combination of tailored policy/legislative, capacity-building and awareness raising actions.

 What do we expect to achieve?

• Relevant national authorities have the capacities to improve and implement the audiovisual, media, and access to information legal framework in line with the Council of Europe standards.
• The public service broadcaster and independent media outlets have enhanced capacities for content diversification, increased independence and professionalism.   
• Relevant authorities and stakeholders are empowered to tackle the risk of information disorder and promote media literacy in the country.

 Reference documents

Leaflet of the project „Advancing Media Freedom in the Republic of Moldova”