MOLDOVAN PRESIDENT DISCONTENTED THAT WEST IS FINANCING MOLDOVAN NGO AND MEDIA

Moldovan President Igor Dodon expressed discontent with the fact that the West is actively financing nongovernmental organizations and media companies in Moldova. On his Facebook page he cites the report of the US National Endowment for Democracy.

According to official data, published by the President, in 2016 this American fund spent over US$2 million on sponsoring Moldovan NGOs and media companies.

Among these there are: RISE Moldova portal for journalist investigations – US$43,265; news portal NewsMaker - US$77,700; printed edition and website ESP.md - US$30,100; portal Moldova.org - US$38,000; Promo-LEX association - US$75,260; the National Democratic Institute (NDI) – US$232,000; the Independent Press Association (IPA) – US$54,600; the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) – US$35,700; the Transparency International Moldova – US$38,050; the Contact NGO - US$31,000; Perspectiva NGO – US$19,359; Center of Independent Journalism (CIJ) – US$38,020; Piligrim-Demo NGO in Gagauz autonomy – US$22,955; Certitudine NGO – US$28,450.

Besides, great funds were allocated by the Fund on implementation of a whole number of projects on contributing to civil activities enhancement, raising of civil activists’ skills, developing civil activity in the north of Moldova, strengthening the independent journalism, human right protection, development of democracy in Gagauz autonomy.

“Be attentive to all this. The financing from only one source accounted for millions and dozens of millions of lei. Someone said they are fighting propaganda. Which would be the reaction of the “civil society” and the “independent press” if Russia would allow itself something like this?”, the president wondered.

The ruling coalition intends to adopt the law on combating Russian propaganda in autumn. The document implies ban on broadcasting in Moldova of all information and analytical programs of Russian TV channels. The Government already approved a corresponding bill and submitted it to the Parliament for consideration. President Igor Dodon stated that if the law is adopted, he will be blocking it and will not promulgate it.