Moldova suspends local TV channels over alleged misinformation on Ukraine war

Moldova has suspended the broadcast licenses of six television channels over accusations of misinformation, inaccurate coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine and “attempts to manipulate public opinion”.

As Associated Press reported, the decision involved channels First in Moldova, RTR Moldova, Accent TV, NTV Moldova, TV6 and Orhei TV and was announced late December 16 by Moldova’s Commission for Exceptional Situations, which was established after Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

Four of the six suspended channels regularly re-transmit programs from Russian TV channels which were banned by the European Council also on December 16 as part of a fresh wave of EU sanctions against Russia.

According to the publication, the commission argued that the suspensions were made after a review by Moldova’s Audiovisual Council found a “lack of correct information in the coverage of national events, but also of the war in Ukraine.” It also said the suspensions aim to “prevent the risk of disinformation […] or attempts to manipulate public opinion”.