President Maia Sandu of Moldova stated at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) that authorities must protect freedom of expression from fake accounts posing as independent voices. She emphasized that hybrid tools, including fake social media accounts, amplify disinformation.
The president noted that technology intensifies the spread of false information and stressed that the digital space must be governed responsibly.
“The internet and social platforms have strengthened freedom and connections. They rank among humanity’s greatest innovations. But no invention exists without rules. Electricity requires safety standards. Cars require traffic rules—especially near schools. The digital space is no different. Authorities must protect children’s well-being. Authorities must protect freedom of expression from fake accounts that present themselves as free voices.
Authorities must manage artificial intelligence with caution. Together, these actions form democratic self-defense. They determine whether democracy remains a living system—or becomes an open target. Therefore, we must move faster than the threat and take the initiative.
The Council of Europe exists for moments like this—not when democracy enjoys comfort, but when it faces challenges. Moldova’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will act according to this responsibility,” Sandu emphasized.
In Strasbourg, the president also warned that Moldova owes peace to the Ukrainians, as Russia’s threat to Ukraine endangers the entire continent. She added that the Kremlin seeks to control Moldova to use it against the EU and Ukraine.