DISINFO: It was an external political order for Moldova to suspend the Russian TV channels
SUMMARY
The decision to suspend the broadcasting of six Russian-language channels in Moldova was the result of an external order. This political order comes from outside - this decision was made immediately after [President] Maia Sandu’s visit to the United States and after her meeting with one well-known Ambassador to Moldova. Therefore, no serious international organisations such as PACE, the EU or foreign embassies will speak out in defence of these TV channels. The Moldovan authorities count on the final dissolution of the opposition channels in three or four months. Meanwhile, the pro-government channels will broadcast the Russian-language preparing Moldova for NATO and EU integration.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the “lost sovereignty”, claiming that Moldova’s actions are not independent, but totally influenced by external forces. See about the Kremlin claim here.
On 16 December 2022, Moldova temporarily banned six television channels for airing disinformation about the country and Russia’s war in Ukraine. In fact, some of the channels broadcast in Moldovan, dispelling the claim that this is a language issue only targeting the Russian-speaking population of Moldova.
The ban takes effect from 19 December 2022 and last for the duration of a state of emergency that Moldova declared after Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The channels will lose their licences “for disseminating incorrect information when covering events in Moldova and the war in Ukraine”, said a special committee overseeing the state of emergency.
See a similar case claiming that Moldovan authorities use disinformation excuse to exclude Russian voices from social and political life.