The Independent Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (CCIA) produced a new report on corruption in Moldova’s media sector and assessed the implementation of the recommendations from Report no. 1 "The Offshore Republic. Review of factors leading to systemic fraud and money laundering in Moldova’s banking, financial and insurance sectors".
CCIA released today, October 10, 2025, a new report, its fifth, on corruption in the media sector, entitled “Moldova’s Media and Corruption: Friend or Foe?”. A key issue identified in the report is the lack of sufficient transparency in media ownership. This opacity allows vested interests to influence editorial content and restricts the public’s ability to hold media outlets accountable. Without clear ownership structures, it is difficult to discern whether media outlets are operating with independence or are instead serving the interests of powerful individuals or groups. Furthermore, while Moldova has established legal frameworks intended to protect media independence, the enforcement of these laws is inconsistent, thereby allowing corrupt practices to persist. The absence of rigorous enforcement mechanisms means that media outlets that engage in unethical or corrupt practices often do so with impunity, further eroding public trust in the media.
The report also highlights the necessity for strengthening specialized anti-corruption institutions that can ensure the effective investigation, prosecution and adjudication of corruption cases, particularly those involving the media. Such institutions are vital in ensuring that cases of corruption are not only decided but seen to be decided in a fair and transparent manner, thereby reinforcing the rule of law. In addition, the report emphasizes the urgent need for enhancements in the training and protection of journalists. Journalists in Moldova often operate under challenging conditions, facing threats and intimidation that can deter them from pursuing critical stories, particularly those involving corruption. Strengthening the capacity of journalists through targeted training programs and robust protections is essential for safeguarding freedom of expression and ensuring that the media can operate without fear of reprisal.
In conclusion, while Moldova has laid some groundwork for media freedom and independence, significant gaps remain that must be addressed to ensure that the media can effectively contribute to the fight against corruption. The recommendations provided in the report are aimed at enhancing the transparency of media ownership, improving the enforcement of existing legal frameworks, strengthening specialized anti-corruption institutions, and bolstering the protection and training of journalists. Only by addressing these issues can Moldova develop a media landscape that is truly independent, accountable, and capable of playing its vital role in upholding democracy and combating corruption.
The full report can be found here.
The progress report no. 2 for the CCIA report no. 1 "The Offshore Republic. Review of factors leading to systemic fraud and money laundering in Moldova’s banking, financial and insurance sectors". The report no. 2 presented a comprehensive analysis of corruption in finance, banking and insurance, seen in the broader context of systemic fraud in these sectors, as well as related embezzlement and money laundering. The publication illustrated the many ways in which legal amendments, questionable appointments of heads of institutions, lack of genuine independence of oversight institutions and the absence of stronger actions in the face of numerous red flags, resulted in what is called a “captured state”. The report contained 42 Recommendations addressed to different institutions in the Republic of Moldova, aiming at eliminating loopholes and systemic flaws identified by the CCIA. The rate of implementation of the report Recommendations after 24 months is the following: 22 Recommendations (52%) have been fully implemented, 8 Recommendations (19%) have been partially implemented and 12 Recommendations (29%) have not been implemented.
The full progress report can be found here.
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For more details about the reports, please check CCIA’s website: https://ccia.md/en/reports/
