On December 16, 2022, the Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE) of the Republic of Moldova ordered the suspension of the broadcasting license of six television stations (Primul în Moldova, RTR Moldova, Accent TV, NTV Moldova, TV6, Orhei TV) for “lack of correct information in the coverage of national events, but also the war in Ukraine”. The CSE argued its decision based on two main reasons:
- Several natural and/or legal persons who are subject to international sanctions exercise control over sanctioned TV stations;
- The Audiovisual Council (CA) monitored and sanctioned TV stations for the lack of correct information in the coverage of national events, but also of the war in Ukraine.
The CSE has decision-making power during the state of emergency in the Republic of Moldova declared on February 24, 2022, based on concerns for regional and national security in the context of the war in Ukraine.
On December 20, 2022 a group of CSOs made a joint declaration in which they recognise the urgent need to combat disinformation in the media. At the same time, in order to prevent biased interpretations, as well as the extensive interpretation of this precedent in the future, the signatory organisations request that all the factual circumstances and concrete arguments that were the basis of the CES's decision to suspend the broadcast rights of the six television stations be communicated publicly.
Under freedom of expression, cases of blocking of conventional and online media should always be based on clear legal grounds and should be proportionate for the achievement of legitimate aims.
The signatory organisations also urge the authorities to immediately take all necessary measures to prevent the legitimisation of the war in Ukraine and to combat the concentration of control over the media.