Regional reflections on Moldova’s elections

On 29 October, the Independent Countering Disinformation Centre (ICDC) gathered experts and partners from Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, and the Baltic states for a regional learning call on post-election developments and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

The discussion used Moldova’s parliamentary elections as a springboard to look at broader regional trends: how disinformation evolved during the campaign, what tactics emerged, and what lessons can be drawn for the months ahead.

The event brought together 28 participants, including representatives of ICDC partner organizations, The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR), Funky Citizens, DFRLab, Watchdog.MD, Transparency International Moldova, and several Ukrainian civic organizations.

Moldova as an example of communication resilience

Speakers agreed that Moldova’s recent elections demonstrated how strong communication and civic engagement can serve as a first line of defense against disinformation and external interference.
Public awareness campaigns ahead of the vote were visible, consistent, and adapted to different audiences, helping reduce confusion and prevent manipulation.

Several experts highlighted Moldova’s experience as a positive regional example, showing that informed citizens and active communities play just as important a role as institutions in protecting democracy.

Shared challenges across borders
Disinformation does not stop at borders, and neither should the response. Participants discussed the increasing localization of Russian influence campaigns, where propaganda adapts to each country’s social context, blending legitimate news with falsehoods and exploiting local grievances.

Emerging technologies are amplifying the problem. AI-generated content, automated bots, and microtargeted messaging have created a new layer of complexity for fact-checkers and journalists.
The need for joint monitoring, data sharing, and early warning systems was a recurring theme. As one speaker noted, “The same narrative that appears in Chișinău today can appear in Bucharest or Tbilisi tomorrow.”

The role of media and civil society

Independent media and civil society organizations were recognized as essential for maintaining transparency and trust. Election-period monitoring in Moldova revealed a surge of manipulative content on platforms like TikTok and Telegram, particularly targeting young people and rural audiences.

Participants emphasized that media literacy is no longer just an educational tool, it is a matter of national security. Local organizations and citizen journalists are key to spotting early signs of disinformation and helping communities navigate them.

Looking ahead

The call ended on a hopeful note. Despite the challenges, Moldova’s elections showed that resilience can be learned, shared, and strengthened together. Participants agreed that future efforts should focus on three priorities:

• Strengthening regional cooperation and information-sharing;
• Encouraging greater accountability from social media platforms;
• Expanding media literacy and civic education to reach all generations.

As one participant concluded, “The best antidote to manipulation is not censorship, but an informed and confident society.”