Russia slams Moldova’s ban of television channels as ‘political censorship’

Russia has denounced a decision by neighbouring Moldova to temporarily ban six television channels as “political censorship”.

The small ex-Soviet state of Moldova accused the channels of airing “incorrect information” about the country and Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

The channels – some of which broadcast in Moldovan and some in Russian – are closely tied to politician and businessman Ilan Shor, who fled the country in 2019 after the election of pro-Western President Maia Sandu.

Shor, in exile in Israel, has backed protests in Chisinau demanding that Sandu’s government resign.

“We consider this ban as an unprecedented act of political censorship, as an abuse on the principle of media pluralism and a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of access to information, to which the political leadership of the Republic regularly declares its adherence,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.