“Moldova’s media content is polarized between pro-Russian and pro-Western camps, but the control of oligarchs and political leaders over editorial positions has weakened in recent years,” the authors of the rating explain their position.
The organization uses five indicators to assess media freedom: economy, law, security, politics, culture and society.
According to the political indicator, the Moldovan media ranked 35th, 33rd in the economic indicator, 33rd in the legal indicator, 18th in the social indicator and 50th in the security indicator.
This is happening against the background of a serious deterioration of media freedom worldwide.
“For the first time in the history of Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) World Press Freedom Rankings, the situation in more than half of the world’s countries appears in the ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ categories.” In 25 years of observation, the average rating of countries has never been so low. The introduction of laws restricting freedom of the press, including as part of policies to strengthen national security, has led to a gradual deterioration in the freedom of information situation since 2001, including in democratic countries. The “right” indicator declined the most this year, reflecting the increasing number of prosecutions against journalists and media outlets. In the Americas, the year saw significant changes, with the United States moving down seven places, while Latin America saw a spiral of violence and repression,” the ranking authors wrote.
In 2002, only 13.7 percent of countries and territories were categorized as “complex” or “very serious.” By 2026, that figure had nearly quadrupled to 52.2 percent, meaning that most countries now face significant obstacles to independent journalism.
Norway tops the 2026 Index, followed by the Netherlands in second place and Estonia in third.
In addition to them, media in four other countries – Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Ireland – fall into the Good category.
Next comes a number of countries, including Moldova, with a Satisfactory rating. Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain and Lithuania are in this group,
Starting from the 44th position the assessment changes to “Problematic”. Romanian (49th position) and Ukrainian (54th position) media fall into this category. As well as American, Bulgarian and Hungarian media.
After 86th place, the rating changes to Difficult. Israel is in this group (115th place).
After the mark 138 the situation becomes “Very Serious” (Very Serious). Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan (from the post-Soviet countries), Turkey, UAE and Russia are on the list in 171st place. Eritrea closes the list.
