In the context of the parliamentary election campaign on September 28, the REALITATEA Media Group asked people on the streets of Chisinau about the role of televised debates and the freedom and objectivity of the press in the Republic of Moldova.
Opinions about debates remain divided. Some citizens admit they do not have time to watch them:
“I don’t really watch when they meet, because probably it’s at a fixed hour. We don’t have time, but sometimes they show short clips and we look at those,” said a woman.
Others believe debates are useful, but not enough to fully understand the electoral programs:
“They are useful, but more time is needed. A short program doesn’t mean a candidate has the capacity to present everything in their electoral platform,” said a man.
Another respondent argued that the relevance of debates depends on how organizers structure them:
“If they are organized as real debates, I think they are helpful,” said one participant in the survey.
When asked about the existence of an independent and impartial press in Moldova, citizens gave different answers. Some acknowledged its presence but doubted its full objectivity:
“A free and independent press definitely exists. But as for how objectively it delivers the news, I don’t believe it can ever be one hundred percent,” explained a man.
“Yes, it exists,” added a woman.
The responses show that Moldovan society continues to debate the role of electoral debates and press independence, with perceptions differing from one voter to another. On September 28, 2025, Moldovans will go to the polls to elect the deputies of the next Parliament.