The data collected during the monitoring process show negative trends in the hate speech phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova, despite the existence of a legal framework sanctioning this type of speech, as well as the efforts undertaken by public authorities to enforce the legal provisions. This is one of the findings of the monitoring report “Hate speech and incitement to discrimination in the public and online space of the Republic of Moldova during the electoral period for the parliamentary elections of 28 September 2025”, presented today, 17 February 2026, by the Promo-LEX Association.
The monitoring report presents an analysis of how public authorities have adapted to new trends regarding hate speech and responded to challenges already addressed in previous years. The report also examined the extent to which targeted individuals and groups reported these cases using national mechanisms, including those developed after the amendment of the legal framework in 2022.
The data from the monitoring process, conducted between 21 July – 19 October 2026, show, on the one hand, that hate speech is increasingly used in combination with manipulative messages and disinformation materials generated by real individuals and algorithms. On the other hand, during the inter-electoral period (September 2024 – August 2025), a process of normalization of hate speech took place, and the electoral campaign in the autumn of 2025 began in a public and online space already permeated by hate, intolerance, and disinformation (at least 11 new hate speech cases per day). Thus, compared to the electoral period for the 2021 parliamentary elections, during the 2025 electoral period the number of hate speech cases increased by 1.7 times. Seventy percent of the total of 521 cases identified in the electoral context were published and disseminated via Telegram, TikTok, and Facebook.
At the same time, the number of complaints regarding the use of hate speech during electoral periods submitted to the General Police Inspectorate decreased to zero, compared to 16 during the 2023 electoral period, while an increase in ex officio notifications was recorded. It is estimated that for the dissemination of 68 hate speech cases, certain political parties and/or electoral blocs spent over 400,000 lei, while the General Police Inspectorate and the Audiovisual Council applied fines totaling over 142,000 lei for 28 violations of the legislation. The authorities’ response to hate speech is insufficient compared to the number of cases identified by civil society.
“We believe that a concerted effort by authorities, media institutions, politicians, political parties, and civil society is needed to reduce the intensity of hate speech in the public and online space. Therefore, it is necessary to promote reporting mechanisms and adjust them according to the needs of victims, to inform and raise public awareness about the consequences of hate speech through national campaigns, and to continuously strengthen the capacities of teams within the Police and the Audiovisual Council, including those within institutions that report content to social media platforms, such as the Intelligence and Security Service,” stated Irina Corobcenco, author of the monitoring report and analyst in the field of preventing and combating hate speech at the Promo-LEX Association.
“If we were to characterize this report in a single word, it would be ‘normalization’ – a dangerous normalization of tolerance toward hate, extremely visible in this campaign. The figures show that hate has become a common campaign tool, especially online, where over 70% of cases were identified on Telegram, TikTok, and Facebook, with more than half of the harmful content concentrated on TikTok alone. We found a 1.5-fold increase in sexist hate speech, including messages reducing the role of women strictly to reproduction, as well as a tripling of homophobic speech compared to 2021, with the LGBTQI+ community portrayed as a threat to national security. We also observed the cynical politicization of psychiatric diagnoses, with medical terms used as insults to discredit opponents. We welcome the sanctioning of 24 discrimination cases by the Audiovisual Council; however, it is alarming that no complaint was filed with the General Police Inspectorate. Today’s report is not merely a collection of data, but a warning signal and a call to strengthen strategies to combat a phenomenon that is unacceptable in a democratic state,” stated Vadim Vieru, lawyer and program director at the Promo-LEX Association.
“I congratulate the Promo-LEX Association for this report and for its constant efforts in monitoring elections and defending human rights. The findings are clear and concerning: the number of hate speech cases has increased, despite the existing legal framework and the efforts of the authorities. Legislation must be accompanied by consistent enforcement and preventive measures, and the responsible institutions need adequate tools, coordination, and public trust to act effectively. At the same time, the online environment has become the main space for the propagation of hate, which requires closer cooperation with digital platforms, smart monitoring, and investment in digital literacy and counter-narratives. Hate speech affects not only those directly targeted; when hate penetrates political competition, democracy itself is endangered. The authorities’ response must combine prevention with accountability, ensuring protection for victims and clear consequences for those who incite hatred. There is also a political responsibility: a functional democracy implies debate, not demonization. When leaders choose dialogue over hostility, they strengthen democratic resilience. Sweden’s support for the Republic of Moldova is based on a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We will continue to support civil society, independent institutions, and inclusive governance, remaining a dedicated partner in these efforts,” stated Hannes Berts, Deputy Head of the Swedish diplomatic mission in the Republic of Moldova.
The monitoring report contains several recommendations addressed to public institutions and authorities, electoral competitors, politicians and political parties, as well as media institutions, formulated based on the findings and data collected.
The full monitoring report can be read here.
The summary of the report in English can be accessed here.
The monitoring report was prepared with the support of Sweden. The document is part of the project “Democracy in Action: Strengthening Electoral Integrity, Political Accountability and Civic Participation”, implemented by the Promo-LEX Association, with the support of Sweden and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The monitoring report was co-financed by the European Union within the project “INSPIRĂ Moldova”. The opinions expressed in the report belong exclusively to the authors and do not reflect the position of the Embassy of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or the European Union.
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