Freedom of expression of the media during the electoral period in the case-law of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right and is an essential element of a democratic society. Freedom of the press gives the public a means to form an opinion on political ideas. The mass media has an important influence in contemporary society: it not only informs, but can suggest, through the way it presents information, how this information should be evaluated. These findings are also valid in the case of media coverage of the elections. During the electoral period, the mass media has the obligation to respect the principles of fairness, balance and impartiality in covering the elections, to inform the public correctly and objectively, to ensure equal opportunities for electoral competitors and a plurality of opinions that reflect the diversity of political opinions in the country.