Spokesman for government says boosting of attempts to manipulate public opinion, especially in online environment, witnessed in Moldova

The government's spokesperson, Daniel Voda, has warned that the number of in attempts to manipulate public opinion, especially online, had been recently increased. According to him, certain ‘’channels affiliated with Russian propaganda’’ frequently promote alarming, false or manipulative messages, all aimed at undermining public trust in institutions and the country's European path.

Daniel Voda said that, among the toxic messages circulating online, there are ‘’EU integration takes away our sovereignty,’’ ‘’justice is politically controlled,’’ ‘’Moldova is militarizing,’’ ‘’the economy is collapsing and Moldova is isolated,’’ ‘’the West attacks the church and traditional values.’’

The government’s spokesperson specified that all these messages were dangerous falsehoods, and the reality is that Moldova has gained respect and secured investments and partnerships thanks to the European direction. As examples, the budget for families and children has doubled, salaries for doctors, teachers, police officers, cultural professionals have been increased, and a record investment of 3 billion lei has been made to modernize hospitals.

At the same time, 700 km of roads, 940 km of water networks, 220 km of sewerage, 610 km of street lighting have been modernized and 200 schools and kindergartens, along with 254 parks and sports grounds, have been renovated.

Daniel Voda said that the false narratives launched online aim to turn Moldova back in time and compromise the democratic process.

‘’What do the false narratives aim to achieve? To stop us, to turn Moldova back in time, to compromise the democratic process, to cut our link with European support,’’ the official said.

The government spokesperson assured, that despite these attempts, authorities would continue to work for the benefit of citizens and invest in schools, hospitals, kindergartens, energy efficiency projects water and sewer networks.

At the same time, Daniel Voda warned that the factories of lies would work even more intensely in the near future, and in response, the authorities will continue to speak directly with people about all initiatives launched, so that citizens are correctly informed.

‘’The truth matters. Elections matter. Moldova now has a good direction – towards modernization, development, Europe. The choice must be made with care for the future of everyone, their families, communities, and the entire country,’’ the official noted.

Daniel Voda urged citizens to get information only from official sources and to be vigilant with false and manipulative messages.

President Maia Sandu earlier this week warned that ‘’the laboratories of inventing absurdities have started at maximum speed.’’ According to her, in the following period, ‘’lies will flow in torrents from the Kremlin's trumpets, only to seize Moldova and bring it under the control of foreign interests.’’ In the context, the head of state emphasized that ‘’the truth stands firm in front of our eyes: in Moldova, there is peace and there will be peace as long as we stand firm on the European path.’’