Media literacy in the Republic of Moldova is at a moderate level, but nearly half of citizens have low or critical levels of media literacy. Many people struggle to verify information, report false content, or assess information generated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

These are some of the key findings of the study “Assessment of Media Literacy in the Republic of Moldova”, launched on 23 September 2026 by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC), an ICDC member. The study measures Moldova’s Media Literacy Index (MLI) for the first time, providing a baseline for tracking how people’s ability to understand, assess and verify information develops over time.

Moldova’s 2026 Media Literacy Index stands at 55 out of 100 points, indicating a moderate level of media literacy. At the same time, almost 48% of respondents have low or critical levels of media literacy. Young people, urban residents and people living in Chișinău tend to perform better, while older people and those living in rural areas record lower scores.

Recognising suspicious content does not always lead to verification. Some warning signs are relatively easy for people to identify: 72% of respondents say that overly emotional language can indicate suspicious content. However, only 35% say they would actively verify a questionable news story. The study also found that people are more likely to avoid sharing problematic information than to report it or take other steps to limit the spread of disinformation.

For many people, learning to verify information is a self-taught skill. Around 45% of respondents say they learned on their own how to check information, while 18% learned from people they trust. At the same time, almost 15% say they do not know how to verify information.

AI is creating an additional layer of challenges. More than 84% of people aged 18-29 use AI tools, compared with only 17% of those over 67. Yet the ability to verify AI-generated information remains limited, while some respondents have limited knowledge of how AI-generated content is produced.

Social media has become the main source of information for 69% of respondents, followed by television, cited by around 46%. Internet use also varies significantly across age groups, shaping how different segments of the population access and consume information.

“The Media Literacy Index shows us where the greatest vulnerabilities lie, which groups of the population need more support, and how we can intervene to ensure that media literacy activities are effective and have an impact,” said Nadine Gogu, Executive Director of the IJC.

The study provides an overall picture of media literacy levels in Moldova and will make it possible to track progress over the coming years. Its findings can help newsrooms, educational institutions, public authorities and civil society organisations better tailor media literacy initiatives to the needs of different population groups.

Read the full study.