As Moldova progresses on its route towards EU entry, bolstering freedom of the press is both a democratic necessity and a strategic priority.
The Media Advocacy Action for Moldova (MAAM) project, launched in April 2025 and funded in the framework of the Know-how Exchange Programme is supported by the CEI Fund at the EBRD sponsored by Italy. It is designed to support the country's public watchdogs and bring it into line with European standards on freedom of expression and media pluralism.
Led by Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT), in partnership with ActiveWatch (Romania) and the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) in Moldova, MAAM fosters collaboration across borders, encourages peer learning, and advocates for targeted support to enhance media resilience in a challenging regional context.
The project has begun with a virtual roundtable involving all partners, during which common challenges have been identified. Several threats the media in Moldova are facing such as disinformation campaigns, attacks on journalists and political interference, closely mirror those also affecting Romania and Italy. This initial exchange has helped to shape the strategic focus of the project, particularly in light of the 2025 parliamentary elections in Moldova.
During its first few months, MAAM has produced a series of multilingual publications that address important issues such as journalist safety, the legal frameworks governing digital platforms and the impact of foreign disinformation campaigns. These materials have been shared across the partners’ platforms to inform public debate and contribute to a wider European advocacy effort.
Looking ahead, MAAM's activities will include an advocacy workshop in Chișinău, the publication of a shadow report on media freedom in Moldova, a public webinar and a final international event in Bucharest. Each of these steps is designed to amplify Moldova’s voice within European policy processes and strengthen local stakeholders' ability to safeguard media independence.
By combining transnational expertise with a strong local focus, MAAM is helping to create a freer, more pluralistic media environment in Moldova, supporting democratic accountability and reinforcing the country’s progress towards European integration.
For more info: dovier@cei.int