A street in Chisinau, capital of Moldova. © IWPR

A man cycles past a train station on May 3, 2022 in Chisinau, Moldova. More than two months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fears of the conflict spilling over into Moldova, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants, has increased after two attacks on April 23 and 24 in the separatist region of Transnistria. © Andreea Campeanu/Getty Images

Focus

Countering Disinformation in Moldova

The Countering Disinformation in Moldova (CDM) project builds the capacity of local Moldovan organisations and journalists to increase resilience of the Moldovan population to malign influences and effectively counter disinformation operations in their country.

Years active: 2022-present

CDM draws on IWPR’s successful track record supporting local CSOs and media organisations in the Eastern Partnership region, including Moldova.

This project is aimed at strengthening the capacity, collaboration, and effectiveness of local Moldovan organisations to build resilience of the Moldovan public to disinformation and interference from hostile actors. The project is led by IWPR and implemented with 11 CSOs working at a local and national level across the country.

LATEST FROM THE PROJECT

Larisa Kalik, 24, left her native Transnistria in spring 2020. Her book "The Youth Year", which describes the dire conditions young men face in the mandatory military service, attracted the ire of the authorities in Moldova's breakaway region. © Photo courtesy of Larisa Kalik

The Transnistrian Dissident Who Fled to Ukraine

A young activist who documented the dire conditions in the Transnistrian army found herself in Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

A view of the towers of Termoelectrica, Moldova's producer and supplier of thermal and electric energy in Chisinau. Moldova remains highly vulnerable in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The government has not applied sanctions on Russia as the country's economy and its energy security are deeply dependent on Moscow. © Andreea Campeanu/Getty Images

Ukraine War Rocks Moldova’s Fragile Economy

Chisinau has not imposed sanctions on Russia, but is looking into economic alternatives to Moscow.

More than two million Ukrainians have fled across western borders of the country after Russia's armed invasion on February 24, 2022. Among the neighbouring countries, Moldova is the one that has received the most refugees in proportion to its population. This is a major challenge for this nation among the poorest in Europe. © Andreea Campeanu/Getty Images

Moldova’s Infowar in the Wake of Ukraine Invasion

As thousands of Ukrainians cross into Moldova, the country fights its own information battles.

A woman stands in the centre of Tiraspol, holding a No War sign. Public opinion about the war remains divided: there are between 100,000 and 120,000 Ukrainians living in the region, but ties with Russia are strong. © Alexander Udodov

Photo Essay

Ukrainians Seek Refuge in Transnistria

With ties to both Russia and Ukraine, Tiraspol commits to support those fleeing conflict while neither endorsing nor condemning the war.

A sign says No War in a Tiraspol apartment hosting refugees from Ukraine. Authorities have allocated temporary housing for Ukrainians crossing into Transnistria, with many residents making their homes available. © Alexander Udodov

Divided Over the War, Transnistria Welcomes Ukrainians

As thousands of refugees arrive, opinion is split over the war unfolding next door.

A few tents have been set up to provide with immediate assistance to refugees, who are then transported to one of the 78 accommodation centres across the country. © Piotr Garciu

Ukrainians Find Warm Welcome in Moldova

But Europe’s poorest country calls for international aid to accommodate huge influx of refugees.

PROJECT HANDBOOKS

Moldova: Gender Disinformation Handbook

This handbook is designed to support communicators, campaigners, journalists, and educators.

It is the sister publication to the Moldova Disinformation handbook which looks at disinformation in all its forms. Gender disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda are big subjects. To understand them well you will need an understanding of history, politics, online behaviour, and even biology.

Moldova: The Disinformation Handbook

The handbook is aimed at journalists, communicators, campaigners and educators.

Rather than a comprehensive guide to disinformation, it is designed as an introduction to this subject that should help users develop a ‘fact checking mindset’. Whilst the focus is on Russian disinformation in the context of the war in Ukraine and threats to Moldova, the range of examples to illustrate the key learning points are as global as the sources of fake news.

Summary of Countering Disinformation Moldova (CDM) Formative Research

This summary provides a snapshot of emerging findings on views towards Russian & Western integration, media preferences and perceived credibility of different media sources, alongside insights on the features of content considered trustworthy and persuasive by profiles of Moldovans with a Russian, Western, or Neutral political alignment.

Breaking Through Disinformation on Social Media

How to break through disinformation on social media with organic and paid strategies.

By Jennifer Kanaan, Social Media Consultant & Trainer

ROMÂNĂ

Online Crisis Management Strategies for Organizations

How to prevent and manage online crisis management for organizations.