It’s a long way until the press in Moldova reaches sustainability. However, we can say with confidence: we do have investigative newspapers, people know where to report suspicious corruption, violations of their rights, or whistleblowing. It’s still small, but some reporters have dedicated 15 years of labor, sleeplessness, physical and material insecurity for these minor achievements. Thank you, dear colleagues.

In 2004 there was no investigative newspaper in the Republic of Moldova. Our small team decided to launch one despite the fact that we had no equipment, headquarters, or money. We did not have access to databases or thorough knowledge of journalistic investigations. We started with a very small team, little money, and an extremely small circulation. We didn’t even have enough computers. And of the five computers in the newsroom, only one was connected to the Internet. To find some information, we had to wait in line.

What we did have in abundance was the desire to make good quality, high volume, combative journalism.

We managed to do this work despite many shortages and difficulties. On top of our usual financial limitations, came countless lawsuits claiming more money in damages for the stained honor of judges, prosecutors, public officials and politicians. As we had no money or headquarters, we were renting some small spaces and paid the rent requested.  Even so, we were kicked out of state-owned offices several times, by those who were supposed to protect the independent press. On top of all these difficulties, our biggest struggle was for information of public interest. This took reporters’ time, gasoline, energy, nerves, money, patience and hope. But we didn’t give up.

Was all this effort worth it? What have you changed? Moldova is the same poor country; people are leaving; only the elderly remain to live in poverty and sorrow. These are the skeptical questions we ask ourselves. But it’s only half of the truth. Several days ago, I was writing a news report about the Global Conference for Media Freedom in London, where some alarming figures were presented. Currently, only 13 percent of the world’s population enjoys a free press. The other 87 percent of the Earth’s population still has to fight for the right to access it. And the fight is tougher than ever: more and more journalists are killed while exercising their duties, and over 90 percent of the crimes committed against journalists remain unsolved and unpunished. Financial poverty leads to famine; informational poverty raises monsters.

The other day I asked Lucy Joyce, the British Ambassador, what she would bring from London for the welfare of all Moldovan citizens. The answer contained some solutions relating to justice, transparency, and freedom of the press. It’s true that London has several media organizations that are closely followed by journalists, political leaders and citizens around the because they trust these teams of reporters. The press that responds to public needs is of as much national value as the Big Ben or the London Bridge.

It’s a long way until the press in Moldova reaches sustainability. However, we can say with confidence: we do have investigative newspapers, people know where to report suspicious corruption, violations of their rights, or whistleblowing. It’s still small, but some reporters have dedicated 15 years of labor, sleeplessness, physical and material insecurity for these minor achievements. Thank you, dear colleagues.

Alina RADU, alina.radu@zdg.md