The Commission on Emergency Situations of the Government of Chisinau decided on Friday to suspend the broadcasting licenses of six television stations of the Republic of Moldova for the duration of the state of emergency.

The target stations are: “Primul în Moldova”, “RTR Moldova”, “Accent TV”, “NTV Moldova”, “TV6” and “Orhei TV”.

As reported by Deschide.md and ZdG.md, the Commission for Emergency Situations (CSE) clarifies that the decision was taken “in order to protect the national information space and prevent the risk of disinformation through the dissemination of false information or attempts to manipulate the public.” conclusion based on the list of individuals and legal entities subject to international sanctions and the available information on the control they exercise over some media service providers, as well as on the numerous findings of the monitoring reports of the Audiovisual Council on violations of the Audiovisual Media Code services of the Republic of Moldova, implicitly provides for the application of sanctions for the lack of correct information in the reflection of national events, as well as the war in Ukraine.”

Thus, the Provision on KSE states that “The State Enterprise “Radiozvyazok” and distributors of audiovisual media services shall stop broadcasting and, accordingly, distribution of audiovisual media services included in this provision.” The measure takes effect immediately.

Prime Minister Natalia Havrylytsia: “After almost 300 days of war in Ukraine, propaganda in the Republic of Moldova did not stop, but on the contrary, intensified”

This was also announced by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrylytsia in a post on Facebook.

“Today, together with the members of the Emergency Situations Commission, we decided to suspend the broadcasting license for six television stations for the duration of the state of emergency: Primul in Moldova, RTR Moldova, Accent TV, NTV Moldova, TV6 and Orgei TV.

These mass media have seriously and repeatedly violated the Code on Audiovisual Services, tendentially and manipulatively reflecting events in our country, as well as events related to the war in Ukraine.

After almost 300 days of war in Ukraine, propaganda in the Republic of Moldova did not stop, but even intensified. In a situation where not only an energy war is being waged against our country, but also an information war, we bear the responsibility and even the duty to protect our citizens and the country.

Today’s decision aims to secure the information space in the country, eliminate manipulation and propaganda, corrupt and especially dangerous elements, especially in the difficult period we are going through,” she wrote.