Moldova to Block 31 Pro-Russian Websites, Most Managed from Russia

The Moldovan Information and Security Service (SIS) has ordered the blocking of 31 internet portals in the country, the majority of which are directly controlled from Russia. This announcement was made by the head of SIS, Alexandru Mustyatsa, during a briefing on October 30, as reported by the local publication Newsmaker.

Mustyatsa stated that 21 of the websites on the list are operated from Russia. He also linked the blocked sites to oligarchs-turned-fugitives Ilan Shor and Vlad Plahotniuc.

"It is evident that in the national media space, one can draw parallels between the criminal activities of Plahotniuc's group and Shor's group. Their actions, combined with Russia's hybrid arsenal, are directed against Moldova. Today's decision by the National Commission for Emergency Situations is a step to protect our information space," said the head of SIS.

Mustyatsa also proposed blocking access to six television channels in Moldova during a state of emergency. This includes Orizont TV, ITV, Prime, Publika, Canal 2, and Canal 3.

"These channels operate with numerous legal violations, as noted by the Broadcasting and Radio Council. According to SIS information, their activities pose a threat to the country's security. In particular, these channels promote manipulative narratives that create additional sources of instability in proximity to Ukraine, NATO, and the EU. The information policy of these channels is oriented towards conducting disinformation campaigns in the interests of individuals and legal entities listed in the international sanctions lists of the EU and the USA," Mustyatsa stated.

The head of SIS clarified that this decision is based on the directive of the National Commission for Emergency Situations dated December 16, 2022, which had already suspended licenses for several television channels in the country.

Mustyatsa also mentioned that the actual beneficiaries of the television channels that lost their licenses have shifted their content to other channels, making it appropriate to block them as well.

It's worth noting that on October 16, it became known that the Moldovan Broadcasting and Radio Council did not renew the license of the Primul în Moldova channel, which had been broadcasting content from the Russian "Pervyi Kanal" and has not been operating in the country since December 2022. The regulator also refused to issue a license to the Familia TV channel.

In particular, the founder of Familia, the company REAL RADIO, was fined 10 times for a total amount of 157,000 lei (8,130 euros) for violations related to the production of local programs and 7,000 lei (360 euros) for not complying with the General Media Concept, receiving two public warnings, including for failing to fulfill cultural sector obligations.