Italy backs Moldova media freedom project through EU fund

Italy is backing media advocacy efforts in Moldova through a new project designed to strengthen press freedom as the country moves toward EU membership, the Central European Initiative (CEI) announced. The Media Advocacy Action for Moldova (MAAM) project launched in April 2025 with funding from the CEI Fund at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The initiative brings together organizations from Italy, Romania, and Moldova to tackle common challenges like disinformation campaigns, attacks on journalists, and political interference. MAAM aims to help Moldova meet European standards on freedom of expression and media pluralism. The project comes as Moldova prepares for parliamentary elections in 2025 while working toward European integration.

Moldova faces growing pressure on its media landscape as it progresses on its EU membership path. Russian disinformation campaigns target the country regularly, while local journalists deal with political interference and safety threats. These problems mirror challenges seen in Romania and Italy, making regional cooperation valuable for finding solutions. Press freedom has become both a democratic necessity and a strategic priority for Moldova’s European aspirations. The EU closely watches how candidate countries protect media independence and pluralism.

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa leads the project in partnership with ActiveWatch from Romania and Moldova’s Independent Journalism Center. The collaboration started with a virtual roundtable where partners identified shared threats facing media in all three countries. In its first months, MAAM has produced multilingual publications on journalist safety, legal frameworks for digital platforms, and foreign disinformation impacts. These materials get shared across partner platforms to inform public debate and contribute to wider European advocacy efforts.

The project plans several upcoming activities including an advocacy workshop in Chișinău, a shadow report on Moldova’s media freedom, a public webinar, and a final international event in Bucharest. Each step aims to amplify Moldova’s voice in European policy processes and help local groups protect media independence. The initiative combines international expertise with strong local focus to create practical solutions. Officials want to strengthen stakeholders’ ability to safeguard press freedom in challenging regional conditions.

MAAM represents Italy’s commitment to supporting democratic development in EU candidate countries through targeted media assistance. The project helps create a freer, more diverse media environment that supports democratic accountability in Moldova. By addressing disinformation and protecting journalists, the initiative reinforces Moldova’s progress toward European integration. The cross-border partnership shows how regional cooperation can tackle shared challenges facing media freedom. Success in Moldova could provide a model for similar efforts in other EU candidate countries.