In a troubling development from Moldova, Mariana Rață, a prominent investigative journalist and television host, has become the target of severe online threats following her interview with Renato Usatîi, the leader of the populist party Partidul Nostru (Our Party). Rață revealed that she received messages on social media threatening her life, with one user explicitly stating she "should be stabbed on the street" due to her probing questions during her show "Cutia Neagră."

While Rață has not directly accused Usatîi of being behind the threats, she emphasizes the need for accountability for those who engage in such menacing behavior. The incident has sparked outrage among media watchdogs and rights groups, prompting the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to demand a swift and thorough investigation into the threats. Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, stressed that journalists should not face harassment or threats over their journalistic duties.

The backlash Rață faced is part of a larger, more disturbing trend in Moldova, where journalists frequently encounter threats, online abuse, and political pressure. According to a recent report, the year 2024 saw 66 documented threats against media workers amidst a backdrop of growing polarization and rampant disinformation. Particularly vulnerable are reporters operating in the autonomous region of Gagauzia and the breakaway territory of Transnistria, where journalists face additional risks like arbitrary detentions and surveillance.

This climate of intimidation extends beyond individual incidents. Natalia Zaharescu, a reporter for Ziarul de Gardă, faced an online campaign against her after questioning a former Gagauzia governor. Similarly, in 2022, Viorica Tătaru of TV8 received threats while covering protests in central Chișinău. Media organizations across Moldova have condemned these acts as part of a calculated attempt to suppress independent journalism and limit scrutiny of political figures.

Adding to the pressures on independent media are alleged pro-Russian disinformation efforts and legislative proposals that could further restrict media freedom. A controversial bill introduced in March, modeled on Russia’s “foreign agent” laws, has been widely criticized by over 130 civil society groups as an infringement on the public’s right to accurate information. Such measures, coupled with Russian-linked narratives, particularly in Gagauzia and Transnistria, contribute to a hostile environment that fosters fear and self-censorship among journalists.

The situation calls for an immediate and robust response from both national authorities and the international community to safeguard press freedom in Moldova and ensure that journalists can perform their vital role without fear of retribution.