Moldova Unveils National Safety Plan for Reporters at European Press Freedom Summit

Moldova Unveils National Safety Plan for Reporters at European Press Freedom Summit

The project, titled “Youth facing discrimination—why journalists matter,” aims to educate young citizens on the links between journalist safety, freedom of expression, and democratic rights.

RMN News Press Freedom Desk
New Delhi | April 25, 2026

CHIȘINĂU, Moldova – Amidst growing concerns over deteriorating media freedom across Europe, the Republic of Moldova has announced a comprehensive national action plan to protect journalists and defend democratic resilience.

The announcement was made by Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan during the 2026 “Journalists Matter” annual thematic conference held on 23 April. Organized jointly by the Council of Europe and the Moldovan government, the event brought together international experts and human rights defenders to address the surge in violence, threats, and harassment targeting the press.

A Strategic Shield for Democracy: The forthcoming national action plan for 2026-2027 will be a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Prosecutor General’s Office. Minister Jardan emphasized that protecting journalists is fundamental to the quality of democracy and the functioning of public institutions.

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Jardan specifically highlighted the role of the media in helping society navigate a “new type of war” involving disinformation and falsehoods, which he attributed to Russian efforts to manipulate the country’s information space. “The response of democratic states must be clear-headed, firm and well-organized,” Jardan stated, placing a heavy focus on preventative measures.

The High Cost of Intimidation: Roberto Olla, representing the Council of Europe, warned that when members of the press are harassed or targeted by coordinated disinformation, “democratic debate weakens” and public trust in institutions declines. The conference focused on the “prevention pillar” of the Council’s 2016 recommendations, which urges states to prosecute crimes against media actors and establish effective legal remedies for violations of freedom.

The urgency of these measures is underscored by recent data. In 2025, the Council of Europe’s platform for the protection of journalism recorded 344 alerts regarding threats to press freedom, ranging from physical attacks to abusive legal actions.

Engaging the Next Generation: To foster long-term resilience, the campaign is also launching a new youth dimension. The project, titled “Youth facing discrimination—why journalists matter,” aims to educate young citizens on the links between journalist safety, freedom of expression, and democratic rights. This initiative will include grants for youth-led projects and seeks to empower young people to identify and counter disinformation in their own communities.