We Condemn the Attacks and Smear Campaigns Against the Press Through the Manipulation of Foreign Funding Narratives

We, the undersigned non-governmental media organizations, strongly condemn the ongoing smear campaigns against journalists and media institutions dedicated to serving the public interest.

In light of the recent suspension of U.S. foreign assistance, we are deeply concerned by the increasing misuse of the foreign funding narrative as a tool to discredit journalists and undermine the credibility of independent media.

Cornelia Cozonac, President of the Center for Investigative Journalism, has been directly targeted in a Facebook post by a user identified as Vitali Catana, who presents himself as a lawyer. His post contained inappropriate and defamatory language, calling for the publication of lists naming journalists who have received external funding and falsely suggesting that grant-based financial support for media organizations constitutes an illicit arrangement with international development partners. Previously, Vitali Catana has also disseminated degrading messages and manipulated images attacking journalist Alina Radu, director of Ziarul de Gardă.

The stigmatization of journalists in connection with the suspension of U.S. funding extends beyond online discourse and has also been reported in the field. Ziarul de Gardă documented an incident on February 10 during a court hearing in the “Guțul Case” regarding the illegal financing of the former Șor party. At this hearing, reporter Măriuța Nistor was intimidated by Bashkan Evghenia Guțul and her supporters, who falsely accused her of receiving funding from a so-called “criminal group,” referring to USAID. A similar incident was reported by the editorial team at CU SENS.

These attacks are part of a broader strategy to intimidate, destabilize, and discredit independent journalism. Such smear campaigns, amplified through social media and messaging platforms, place undue pressure on journalists who play a crucial role in promoting transparency and exposing corruption. These harmful tactics foster an atmosphere of hostility and intolerance toward independent media, seriously threatening the public’s right to access accurate and objective information.

We remind all relevant actors that the laws of the Republic of Moldova guarantee freedom of expression and explicitly protect the dignity, safety, and professional independence of journalists. Intimidation, threats, defamation, and the dissemination of false information targeting journalists are serious violations that must be addressed swiftly and decisively by the authorities. A failure to act reinforces a culture of impunity and encourages the continuation of these harmful practices, which undermine democracy.

The Independent Journalism Center urges all journalists and media institutions affected by such attacks to utilize available legal mechanisms to seek redress and accountability. We encourage media professionals to pursue legal action against those responsible for these smear campaigns to ensure the publication of retractions and the issuance of public apologies.

Within the limits of available resources, the Independent Journalism Center provides legal assistance and advisory support to journalists and media institutions operating in good faith, reinforcing our commitment to defending press freedom and the public’s right to reliable and independent information.

Signatory Organizations:

• Independent Journalism Center
• Association of Environmental and Ecological Tourism Journalists
• Media Guard Association
• Electronic Press Association
• Association of Independent Press
• Access-Info Center
• Center for Investigative Journalism
• Press Freedom Committee
• RISE Moldova