Amendments Concerning Video-Sharing Platforms: What Do Moldova’s Recent Audiovisual Legislation Updates Actually Entail?

In May 2025, Moldova proposed significant amendments to its Audiovisual Media Services Code (AMSC) to align national regulations on video-sharing platforms (VSPs) with European standards. While the original 2018 AMSC included basic provisions for VSPs, these were never enforced. The newly approved amendments (pending promulgation) aim to expand the regulatory scope and introduce specific obligations for platforms under Moldovan jurisdiction.

The updated framework targets areas such as commercial advertising, protection of minors, and the prevention of harmful content—including hate speech, terrorism, child exploitation, and fascist or racist material. VSPs will be required to implement content moderation policies, community guidelines, parental controls, and measures to protect minors’ personal data.

Additionally, the Audiovisual Council will gain enhanced enforcement powers to ensure compliance, transparency, and accountability across regulated platforms.

However, enforcement faces limitations. Moldovan law applies only to platforms with a legal or economic presence in the country. Since global players like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok lack local legal entities, the law’s effectiveness may be restricted primarily to domestic or regional platforms.

Overall, the amendments mark a significant step toward modernizing Moldova’s media regulation, though practical challenges remain in regulating major international platforms.

The full text of the analysis is available in English  and Romanian  on Independent Journalism Center (IJC)’s website.