Launched by the Baltic Human Rights Society (BHRS) and the Human Rights Embassy in June 2025, the two-year initiative combines public education, legal analysis and direct engagement with the media sector. Its first-year results turn these aims into practical resources that can already be used by journalists, students, legal professionals and anyone seeking reliable information about their rights.
One year into the project “Human Rights Education — a Tool to Fight Disinformation and Protect Freedom of Expression”, new multilingual learning resources are now available to the public in Moldova. The project has also laid the research foundations for policy recommendations and a future human rights training programme for media professionals.
New Human Rights Guide resources in three languages
The Human Rights Guide for Moldova now includes two new themes: “Freedom of Expression & Media” and “Hate Crimes & Hate Speech”. Adapted to Moldova’s legal and social context and reviewed by experts, both themes are available in Romanian, Russian and English.
The new explanations are accompanied by knowledge self-assessment tests and summaries of relevant international and Moldovan case-law. Together, these resources help readers move from general principles to practical questions: when expression may lawfully be restricted, what distinguishes harmful speech from a hate crime, and which legal standards apply in a particular situation.
The Guide’s Human Rights Case Box has also been reorganised and technically improved. Better search and filtering options, together with links between cases, rights and thematic content, make the case-law easier to navigate and use for study or professional work.
Building an evidence base for balanced legal responses
The project is also examining how Moldova can respond effectively to disinformation while safeguarding freedom of expression. During the reporting period, the review of Moldovan legislation, international and EU standards and relevant case-law was completed. The research methodology was validated and a first draft of the legal analysis prepared.
Interviews with legal and other experts are now under way. Their insights will inform the final report and practical recommendations for policy makers, including in the context of Moldova’s European integration and future legislative reforms.
Listening to the media sector before designing training
Rather than beginning with a ready-made training programme, the project first asks media professionals what support they need. A dedicated survey methodology and questionnaire were developed and validated, and the first round of the survey was completed in May 2026. Responses from media representatives provided an initial picture of current challenges, knowledge gaps and training priorities. The questionnaire and a related knowledge test are now available online in Romanian, Russian and English, allowing more media professionals to contribute during the second phase of data collection. An open call inviting media outlets, independent journalists and bloggers to take part in the needs assessment was shared through the Human Rights Embassy and covered by the Moldovan media outlets NewsMaker and Ziarul de Gardă in Romanian and Russian. This outreach extends the research beyond the project partners and invites the media community to help define the next stage of the work. The findings will then be discussed in workshops with target-group representatives and used to shape a practical human rights training framework.
What comes next
During the next project phase, the partners will present the new Human Rights Guide themes at a seminar for media professionals, complete the expert interviews and legal analysis, validate the media-needs findings through workshops, and develop the training framework. These steps will connect the resources already available online with longer-term improvements in professional practice and public policy.
The project is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) through the Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid of Lithuania.
