The European Union continues to ensure quality information for citizens and combat propaganda by strengthening the technical capacity of the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Moldova, the regulator for audiovisual services to Moldovan citizens. Laptops, computers, and other IT equipment have been granted during an event on March 9, 2023.
Recently, the European Union, under the coordination of Internews Europe, provided technical support to the Audiovisual Council by purchasing computers, laptops, monitors, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices, and software worth around 2,5 million lei (the equivalent of €125,000).
The assistance was provided to enhance the regulator’s capacity to offer Moldovan citizens quality information and counter propaganda and disinformation. In particular, the Audiovisual Council will increase its ability to monitor the quality of content produced in the Republic of Moldova in the interests of citizens.
“We have a project that supports independent media as well so that they can survive in these difficult times related to the war in Ukraine and can spread media literacy among Moldovan citizens. But the quality of the Audiovisual Council’s work is also vital to us, as it could guarantee the proper quality of information and counteract propaganda,” said ES Jānis Mažeiks, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
ES Jānis Mažeiks also emphasized that freedom of expression is a crucial principle, and strengthening the Audiovisual Council’s technical capacity will contribute to this.
“This donation will help the Audiovisual Council to be a guarantor of pluralism of opinion and a guarantor of the audiovisual, to ensure information that reaches people is safe for them, that news and programs are issued in a professional way regarding high standards of quality and respect the Audiovisual code. We are sure that with the help of our partners, we will succeed in protecting the citizens and we will offer programs that reflect their interest,” said Liliana Vițu, the chairwoman of the Audiovisual Council.
The donated equipment includes 45 computers, 46 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices, 16 laptops, eight monitors, two servers, as well as 55 licenses for various types of software. This assistance will increase the regulator’s performance and the capacity of the staff responsible for monitoring audiovisual media content.