Chișinău – 7 October 2025
A closed media ecosystem, in which over 42% of official content is pure propaganda, keeps the population on the left bank of the Nistru River isolated in an informational bubble, disconnected from the realities of the Republic of Moldova. This is the central conclusion of the analytical note titled “Propaganda and disinformation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova”, recently published by Promo-LEX Association.
The study, based on rigorous monitoring of the region’s dominant media sources between 1 May and 13 August 2025, uncovers the mechanisms through which the Tiraspol regime, in sync with Kremlin narratives, systematically cultivates fear, Soviet nostalgia, and hostility – undermining any prospect of peaceful reintegration.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the materials reveals a propaganda machine operating at full capacity. For example, of the 705 materials published and distributed by Novosti PMR in May 2025, 293 (approx. 42%) were propagandistic in nature, while 412 (approx. 58%) were neutral.
The cornerstone of this effort is the glorification of the Soviet military past, a theme that dominates over 53% of the propaganda content. In second place is the narrative of a region under siege, with nearly 18% of the materials portraying Transnistria as a permanently threatened fortress.
This narrative onslaught is made possible by an almost total monopoly on information. Sheriff Holding, which controls around 60% of the region’s economy, also owns the main private media outlets, such as TSV. Alongside so-called “public” broadcasters, they provide a constant stream of aligned messaging. The impact is substantial: data shows that over 98% of TV content accessible to residents on the left bank is in Russian and originates almost exclusively from Transnistria and the Russian Federation.
Dumitru Russu, author of the study and Legal Adviser at Promo-LEX Association, draws attention to the human and strategic consequences of this phenomenon:
“What we are witnessing in the Transnistrian region is social engineering through media. This is not just about fake news, but the deliberate construction of a parallel reality where fear is a state policy and historical memory is turned into a weapon. Through this constant informational bombardment, critical thinking is neutralised, and a mental divide is created between the two banks of the Nistru – far more difficult to bridge than any physical barrier. Every percentage point in this report reflects a victory of propaganda over the fundamental human right to accurate information and a setback for Moldova’s democratic and unified future.”
The study also details the ideological pillars supporting the regime: from the militarisation of youth through “patriotic” games in schools, to the justification of the Russian occupying forces under the guise of “peacekeepers” and the cultivation of a subtle yet effective cult of the local leader.
The consequences of this total control are severe. Freedom of expression is virtually non-existent, and critics of the regime face harsh penalties, as seen in the cases of Victor Pleșcanov, Vadim Pogorlețchi, Mihail Ermurachi, and others who were convicted for expressing dissenting opinions about the separatist administration.
The analytical note highlights that the impact of this phenomenon goes beyond the region’s borders, representing a direct threat to Moldova’s security and European future. In the long term, separatist propaganda solidifies a permanent geopolitical leverage for Moscow, allowing it to influence the country’s course through security blackmail and the undermining of internal cohesion.
The most dangerous effect is the erosion of any prospect for reintegration. Younger generations, raised in a spirit of hostility towards Chișinău and unwavering loyalty to Russia, are developing a completely separate identity – making any political resolution to the conflict extremely difficult to implement or socially accept. Thus, propaganda is not merely a local tool of control but a major strategic obstacle actively blocking Moldova’s pro-European path.
Faced with this alarming reality, Promo-LEX Association asserts that inaction is no longer an option. The document puts forward a set of concrete recommendations, including the creation of an institutional mechanism for the systematic monitoring of disinformation, the strengthening of free media to provide high-quality alternative content in Russian, and the implementation of information reintegration policies designed to rebuild communication and trust with citizens on the left bank. A proactive approach is essential, involving both rapid responses to falsehoods and long-term strategies for media literacy and sociocultural cooperation.
The Analytical Note is available in Romanian and English here.
The Analytical Note was developed by the Promo-LEX Association with financial support from the Soros Foundation Moldova and the National Endowment for Democracy. The views expressed in the document are solely those of the author and Promo-LEX Association; they can in no way be construed as reflecting the opinion and position of Soros Foundation Moldova and the National Endowment for Democracy.
For details and additional information:
Dumitru Russu, Legal Advisor, Promo-LEX Association
GSM: + 373 79532329
E-mail: [email protected]