26.05.08/ More than 40 journalists from various outlets across Moldova benefited from courses on social and economic reporting, which were organized by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) in partnership with the BBC World Service Trust. Training was led by Naomi Goldsmith, who has reported on social and economic affairs for BBC TV and radio. Goldsmith currently works as a trainer for the BBC World Service, and has led workshops for journalists throughout Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Participants covered such topics as “investigative journalism skills,” “interviewing skills,” “top tips for fixing problems faced by journalists.”

19.05.08/ The Independent Journalism Center (IJC) has published the Romanian-language version of the “Journalism Manual” authored by Mark Grigoryan, a well-known Armenian journalist, who currently works at the BBC World Service in London. The Manual contains recommendations on writing techniques, accompanied by sample articles and practical exercises.

06.05.08/ The freedom of the press in the Republic of Moldova has become an issue of frequent concern lately. Despite optimistic declarations of the authorities, the situation of the Moldovan media has not changed. Rather it has deteriorated dramatically in some areas. First of all, we refer to continuous attempts of the Communist government to maintain control over both public and private media and to use them as propaganda tool against opposition. Second, an increase in the number of cases when journalists were abused, denied access to information as well as cases of violation of the right to freedom of expression, of harassment and intimidation of the media has been registered. The authoritarian and anti-democratic actions of the governing party are disguised by pro-European rhetoric and declarative and non-mandatory legislative actions that are not observed in the administrative and judiciary practice. Actions intended to create the appearance of observance of the principles of the press freedom and freedom of expression do not hinder the authorities to neglect these principles when it is in their interest. One can talk about the establishment of a quasi-Soviet regime in the Republic of Moldova, which guarantees a lot of rights and liberties that are merely declarative and are exercised exclusively under the supervision and to the extent allowed by the governing party.