Chisinau, 30 June 2025– A high-level roundtable convened by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) and the Independent Countering Disinformation Centre (ICDC) brought together government officials, media regulators, civil society, and international partners to present and validate the findings of a major new legal study: “Regulating Online Media & Countering Disinformation.”

The event marked an important step forward in Moldova’s efforts to strengthen its information ecosystem ahead of the 2025 electoral cycle. Developed by international expert Deirdre Kevin with support from the UK Government, the study identifies critical gaps in Moldova’s legal and regulatory framework and offers concrete, actionable recommendations in line with EU standards.

A Strong Consensus for Reform

In her opening remarks, IWPR Moldova Programmes Director Merdijana Sadovic welcomed participants and underscored the urgency of coordinated action to protect Moldova’s democratic discourse. Deirdre Kevin then presented the report’s key findings, sparking an engaged and wide-ranging discussion on the path forward.

Liliana Nicolaescu-Onofrei, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Media and Culture, strongly endorsed the study, calling it “timely” and aligned with Moldova’s legislative reform agenda. She confirmed that three key draft laws—amendments to the Audiovisual Media Services Code, the Law on Advertising, and a new Mass Media Law—have already passed their first reading in Parliament.

“There is broad agreement that what we seek is not censorship, but the regulation of harmful content,” Nicolaescu-Onofrei stated. “What is illegal in day-to-day life must also be illegal in the audiovisual and online space.”

A Unified Front Against Foreign Interference

Participants voiced concern about foreign interference and manipulation of Moldova’s information space, particularly through opaque algorithms and unchecked online platforms. As Deirdre Kevin noted, “I don’t care what kind of insane advertising you want to give me, but I do object to something deciding the content that I look at.”

In response, a representative from the Centre for Strategic Communication and Combating Disinformation (CCSCD) announced the formation of a new inter-agency working group to coordinate strategic messaging in the run-up to the 2025 elections. “We created this working group to ensure a unitary effort from all institutions,” he stated.

Immediate Actions and Medium-Term Goals

The roundtable outlined a concrete roadmap for implementation, with several key actions to be taken within the next six months:

• Legislative alignment: Parliament is expected to finalise and adopt amendments that reflect the study’s recommendations, including platform regulation, transparency of state advertising, and the creation of a media register.
• Trusted-Flagger Scheme: A joint initiative involving the Audiovisual Council, CCSCD, and media NGOs will establish a national framework for identifying and flagging harmful online content.
• Inter-agency coordination: The CCSCD’s communicator working group will begin monthly meetings guided by a new Terms of Reference.

Medium-term goals include full legal alignment with the EU’s AVMS Directive, Digital Services Act, and European Media Freedom Act; the creation of a public media register; academic access to data for algorithmic analysis; and media literacy campaigns reaching 30% of Moldova’s secondary students.

Addressing Challenges with Transparency

The roundtable acknowledged potential risks such as political resistance, platform non-compliance, and public fears about overregulation. These will be addressed through cross-party dialogue, transparent oversight, and inclusion of civil society in monitoring roles.

Looking Ahead

In her closing remarks, Deirdre Kevin praised Moldova’s progress and commitment: “There are new threats, new problems, new evil—but you are really doing as much as you possibly can.”

The roundtable affirmed a shared commitment to protecting Moldova’s information space while preserving freedom of expression. Next steps include:

• Parliamentary Committee: circulation of revised legal texts and organisation of public hearings
• CCSCD: first meeting of the communicator working group in August and a draft national communication strategy
• Audiovisual Council & Media NGOs: submission of Trusted-Flagger Scheme criteria by September
• IWPR/ICDC: publication of the final study in Romanian and Russian

The event demonstrated strong momentum for reform and an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to countering disinformation in Moldova