The report “Attacks on Media Workers in the Republic of Moldova. 2025” reveals that 97 attacks or threats against media professionals were reported last year, 31 more than in 2024. Non-physical and/or cyber-attacks and threats remain the most common form of pressure on journalists, with a total of 77 such incidents reported, including: harassment, intimidation, defamation, cyberattacks, account hacking, damage to or confiscation of equipment, etc.

Last year, there were also 12 physical attacks and direct threats to the lives, liberty, and health of media workers, the vast majority of which occurred while journalists were covering protests and other demonstrations. Eight additional attacks through legal and/or economic means have been reported, with some newsrooms citing SLAPP suits (strategic lawsuits against public participation).

There has been an increase in the number of attacks carried out by separatist authorities or so-called peacekeeping forces in the Transnistrian region, which is de facto under the control of the Russian Federation, with reports of illegal interrogations, confiscation of equipment, deletion of journalistic materials, and denial of accreditation.

Approximately one-quarter of all attacks were reported in August and September 2025, during the campaign period for the parliamentary elections, with a significant number of incidents occurring during demonstrations organized by political parties and groups controlled by the oligarch Ilan Shor, who has been convicted in the Republic of Moldova and is currently in hiding in Moscow.

Most often (53 cases), journalists were attacked by individuals who did not represent the authorities, and 29 attacks were carried out by unknown individuals, including during protests or online via fake profiles and accounts. Eight attacks and attempts to intimidate journalists were carried out by government officials, primarily at the regional level; the situation in the Gagauz Autonomous Region remains particularly alarming in this regard, fueled by frequent attacks on journalists by local politicians.

In 2025, staff members of 32 media outlets and organizations in Moldova were attacked or threatened, with the most frequent targets being employees of Ziarul de Gardă—12 reported incidents; TV8—12 attacks; and the Nokta.md portal in Gagauzia—10 attacks.

The Romanian-language version of the report “Attacks on Media Workers in the Republic of Moldova. 2025” is available on the API website (a direct link HERE), and the English version – on the “Justice for Journalists” Foundation’s website (a direct link HERE)

Download the report here.