Messages of solidarity with persecuted journalists. The event “We write on behalf of those who can no longer do it”, staged on Tuesday in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Chisinau, aimed to express solidarity with journalists whose voices were silenced and to reaffirm the fundamental value of freedom of expression and independent media, especially in a global context marked by wars and waves of disinformation, IPN reports.
The participants in the demonstration carried placards with messages of support and commemoration for journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty or who were persecuted for the courage to tell the truth.
“We are thinking in particular about our colleagues from Ukraine – dozens of journalists have been killed in this war, but also about those from other states who went to the front to report the reality and never returned. We also do not forget those convicted in Russia because they had the courage to call things by their name and today they can no longer publish,” said Nadine Gogu, executive director of the Independent Journalism Center.
The demonstration also aimed to denounce disinformation campaigns and propaganda.
“Through these messages, we want to continue denouncing Russian disinformation, fake news and propaganda, which affect not only the Republic of Moldova, but also many other countries in Europe and the world,” stressed Nadine Gogu.
All messages displayed at the event will be collected and transmitted to the Embassy of the Russian Federation as a symbolic reaction.
“We will send these messages to remind them that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are essential rights, without which there can be no free society,” pointed out the IJC director.
Speaking about the internal context, the IJC director noted that although the Moldovan press faces important challenges – discrediting campaigns against journalists, online harassment, limited access to information or financial difficulties – the situation remains better compared to other countries.
The event was organized for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirming civil society’s commitment to the values of free and responsible journalism.
