A study launched by the IJC reveals the problems and the needs of media outlets

The lack of qualified staff, financial resources, and high-performance equipment are the main problems currently faced by the media in Moldova. They are followed by unfair competition in the advertising market, as well as on the part of politically affiliated media outlets, according to the media needs study launched by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) on January 21.

The data had been collected between November 8 and December 6, 2021.

According to the survey respondents, the main problem faced by the media outlets in which they work is the shortage of qualified staff (67%). In most cases, they equally need advertisers and reporters, as well as cameramen and video editors. About a quarter of outlets need a program/project manager and social media manager.

Another problem identified is the lack of financial resources, mentioned by 51% of the outlets surveyed. The main source of funding for the media outlets surveyed is advertising (82%), followed by grants (46%). Other sources of funding include contributions from the outlet’s founders and members, reader subscriptions (including Patreon), and media productions. About every fifth respondent mentioned that the income earned in the past year did not cover expenses at all.

Outdated equipment and/or lack of it is a challenge for about 49% of the interviewed outlets. The participants in the survey also cited unfair competition in the advertising market, as well as unfair competition on the part of politically affiliated media outlets.

The needs study includes the following chapters:

• General data on the media sector in Moldova
• Content distributed by media outlets
• Human resources in media outlets
• Funding of media outlets
• Opinions about the mechanisms of regulation and self-regulation of the media
• Management of media outlets
• Condition of the media sector and development prospects

The study was conducted by the Magenta Consulting company and commissioned by the IJC as part of the “Strengthening sustainability of media in Moldova” project, implemented by the IJC and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Moldova. The findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Embassy in Moldova.