The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday condemned what it called a coordinated online smear campaign targeting Moldovan journalist Viorica Tătaru, warning that the attacks reflect a broader pattern of harassment against independent media in Moldova.

Tătaru, who reports for nonprofit network TV8, has been subjected to a wave of defamatory content and personal attacks on social media, including manipulated narratives aimed at discrediting her professional work. The CPJ urged Moldovan authorities to investigate the campaign and ensure accountability for those responsible, with local and international media organizations, emphasizing that such harassment threatens press freedom and journalist safety.

The Center for Independent Journalism (CJI), along with seven other media organizations in Moldova, condemned the online harassment against Tătaru and stressed in a statement that such actions contribute to a hostile environment for journalists and undermine democratic discourse.

The targeting of Tătaru is not an isolated incident; there have been numerous reports of attacks on media workers in Moldova in recent years, indicating a persistent pattern of threats, harassment, and smear campaigns directed at journalists. Data compiled by the Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ) highlights multiple cases between 2023 and 2025 involving online abuse and intimidation, suggesting that digital harassment has become an increasingly common tactic used against members of the press.

Moldovan journalists have been operating in a polarized political environment since well before this incident. A 2025 report noted calls for investigations into online threats against journalists, suggesting concerns about the adequacy of institutional responses. Similarly, media organizations have warned that political developments in Moldova and particular concerns about pro-Russian influence could further exacerbate pressures on independent journalism.

The CJI reiterated the CPJ’s statement that concrete steps be taken to protect journalists, urging authorities to respond promptly and effectively to threats against Tătaru. The CJI warned that failure to act could embolden further attacks and contribute to a climate of impunity.