Defending Moldova's Democracy

Welcome to IWPR’s Frontline Update, your go-to source to hear from journalists and local voices at the front lines of conflict.

 THE BIG PICTURE  

As Moldova prepares for parliamentary elections this fall, the threat of foreign information manipulation looms large.

International experts, civil society and media from the Baltic States, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania and beyond came together at an IWPR conference in Chisinau last month to share best practices on how to counter information interference and ensure a democratic future.

 VOICES FROM THE FRONTLINE 

"Local media must be strong enough to withstand external manipulation," said Vadim Miskyi from Ukraine’s Detector Media, explaining that his own country’s experience had underscored the role independent journalism played in national resilience.

Social media platforms have been used to distort political narratives, with artificial intelligence playing an increasingly large role.

“Fighting disinformation is like cybersecurity—constant vigilance is required,” said Martins Murnieks of the Baltic Center for Media Excellence.

Mark Laity of the UK-based STRATCOM Academy argued that it was vital for Moldova to craft its own compelling national narrative that reinforced its European aspirations rather than simply reacting to falsehoods.

"Strategic communication is not just about responding to disinformation; it’s about shaping the conversation before malign actors do," he concluded. 

 WHY IT MATTERS 

Moldova voted to continue on the path of European integration in last year’s pivotal October presidential elections and EU referendum. But the margin was narrow. An intense Russia-fuelled campaign aimed to discourage voter turnout, divide communities and damage public trust.

With 1,500 Russian soldiers stationed in its breakaway region of Transnistria, Moldova has long been vulnerable to Moscow’s efforts to undermine the country’s reforms. 

Ahead of the next round of crucial elections, increased support for independent journalism, media literacy programmes and digital security measures can all help protect the country’s hard-won democratic gains.

 THE BOTTOM LINE 

Active in Moldova since 2018, IWPR is working to ensure that foreign influence does not undermine democracy in the small but crucial frontline country, and for citizens to be free to express their legitimate will in an information landscape free of interference.

he conference, organised by IWPR partner the Independent Countering Disinformation Centre in Chișinău, with the support of the UK and Norwegian governments, underscored that Moldova was not alone in its fight against malign information.

The insights and recommendations gathered will serve as the foundation for an ongoing, collaborative effort to protect democracy both in Moldova and across the region.

The contents of this newsletter are the sole responsibility of IWPR and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the UK Government and the Government of Norway.