Media pluralism by default: The case of Moldova

This article shows how Moldova’s weak political state, anemic economy, and cultural fragmentationare interestingly key contributors to the country’s media pluralism. Print and broadcast journalists from Moldovan-language and Russian-language media in Moldova represent a variety of views, ranging from independent coverage to advocacy journalism, according to several national and international monitoring groups. Yet the country has endured governmental, financial, and ethnic instability during the 17 years since its independence from the Soviet Union. This analysis shows how such instability can fuel media diversity, rather than quash it. The findings expand what is known about media pluralism by demonstrating how it can grow in seemingly inhospitable environments.This article shows how Moldova’s weak political state, anemic economy, and cultural fragmentationare interestingly key contributors to the country’s media pluralism. Print and broadcast journalists from Moldovan-language and Russian-language media in Moldova represent a variety of views, ranging from independent coverage to advocacy journalism, according to several national and international monitoring groups. Yet the country has endured governmental, financial, and ethnic instability during the 17 years since its independence from the Soviet Union. This analysis shows how such instability can fuel media diversity, rather than quash it. The findings expand what is known about media pluralism by demonstrating how it can grow in seemingly inhospitable environments