Moldova is grappling with Russian threats and disinformation while striving for EU accession. The capital, Chișinău, recently hosted a Media Forum where experts and politicians discussed how digital platforms and AI are reshaping journalism in this fragile media environment. Despite Moldova’s progress toward democracy and freedom of expression, challenges remain due to pervasive disinformation and external influence.
During the forum, discussions highlighted issues such as online harassment against journalists, diminishing visibility of original content, and the economic strains faced by independent media due to platform dominance. Specific concerns included fake accounts impersonating journalists and the impact of algorithms favoring misleading information over quality journalism.
To bolster media resilience, participants recommended several strategies: improving online safety for journalists, enhancing cybersecurity measures, supporting independent media financially, regulating platform activities, and encouraging audience engagement with local news. These measures aim to mitigate the threats posed by disinformation and strengthen the integrity of the media landscape as Moldova continues its path toward EU integration.
