A training dedicated to safeguarding information integrity in Moldova’s elections was held in an interactive, hands-on format. Participants explored the increasing risks associated with disinformation and manipulation in the electoral context, engaging in discussions on practical solutions to address these challenges.

On July 22, 2025, in Bălți, local journalists, representatives of civil society organizations, and election experts took part in the training titled “Protecting Information Integrity in Moldova’s Elections.” The discussions were practical and deeply grounded in the current electoral realities. Together, participants examined the dangers of disinformation and emotional manipulation in the context of elections, as well as local-level solutions that can be implemented through education, vigilance, and inter-institutional cooperation.

The training opened with remarks from Inna Vrînceanu, representing the ADEPT Association, who emphasized the need to shield the public space from false information: “Election integrity is not just about fairness at the ballot box. Above all, it’s about trust. And trust is built on accurate, responsible, and accessible information.”

Representing UNESCO, Giulia Melotti, Head of the Section for Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists, highlighted the essential role of media literacy in democratic societies. Throughout the day, discussions covered the evolution of the electoral framework, emerging hybrid threats, and the digital tools available to the public. Polina Panainte, Deputy Director of ADEPT, presented the organization’s priorities in monitoring electoral processes.

The technological dimension of these threats was underscored by Dinu Țurcanu, Vice-Rector for Digitalization at echnical University of Moldova (UTM), who spoke about the scale of cyberattacks and the vulnerability of public institutions: “In 2025, Moldova recorded over 131,000 attempted attacks on the infrastructure of the Central Electoral Commission. Beyond the numbers, this represents ongoing pressure on public trust.” Țurcanu also presented concrete tools such as InVID WeVerify, Viewer Forensics, and EXIF Tools—accessible and effective instruments in the fight against manipulative content.

The practical portion of the training began with an address by Natalia Tocarciuc, founder of the “Voice of the North” Association, who spoke about the role of local journalism in building a safe informational space: “Disinformation isn’t fought solely online. We need to take it to the streets, talk to people, build trust, and explain clearly and simply, how manipulation works.”

In closing, Lilia Zaharia, an expert in countering disinformation, led a hands-on workshop where participant groups identified electoral falsehoods, analyzed the mechanisms behind them, and crafted responses based on credible sources from Moldova and the EU.

The training was organized by the ADEPT Association and UNESCO, under the auspices of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections. Local partner: Nordinfo.MD. The views expressed during the event are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the partners or donors.