Moldova was ranked 35th out of 180 in the Press Freedom Index 2025 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The country has dropped four places from last year, when it ranked 31st, with the state of press freedom still rated as “satisfactory”. Despite the drop in the ranking, Moldova is ahead of such countries as Romania (55th), Ukraine (62nd), the USA (57th) and Russia (171st), media-azi.md writes media-azi.md

For Moldova, RSF largely maintains the same conclusions as last year:

“The media in Moldova remain polarised between pro-Russian and pro-European camps, but the control of oligarchs and politicians over editorial policy has decreased compared to previous years,” the report says.

Experts point in particular to Ilan Shor’s influence on the media landscape, difficult economic environment and limited access to information. It is noted that the media owned by politicians continue to promote the agenda of their parties. At the same time, some editorial boards dare to raise topics that are uncomfortable for the authorities, while many are limited to rebroadcasting the central agenda.

In addition, “measures adopted by the Audiovisual Council have tightened controls on disinformation and hate speech, and restricted the activities of media outlets distributing Russian-made propaganda content”.

Regarding the safety of journalists, the report states that “journalists may be subjected to insults and intimidation by politicians, and their supporters may resort to cyberbullying against reporters deemed hostile to their views. Access of journalists to Transnistria is also only possible through special accreditation”.