AC members will be trained in simulations on the monitoring of election-related audiovisual content. They have been trained on the theoretical part and the following sessions will be group work in teams.

Until mid-August, during the first four trainings, participants had the opportunity to analyze the differences and similarities between national legislation and international standards, studied the regulation and self-regulation of election coverage, and improved their knowledge in the field of assessment and monitoring of electoral content, including on the basis of the new methodology approved by the AC.

The participants were trained by the Executive Director of the Association of Electronic Press (APEL), Ion Bunduchi.

Later on, during August, the training participants will move on to simulations and practical exercises in which they will analyze electoral news and debates. Afterwards, the teams will be able to provide a conclusion based on the collected data, draw up decisions and recommendations.

"This year we have a presidential campaign and a referendum campaign. There are different particularities of monitoring and reflecting these campaigns. And because there were questions from audiovisual service providers, we said it's good to have clarity at the team level, because it's important for everyone to know the new rigors and methods. We have also adopted a new monitoring methodology, which will be used for the first time in this election. In the trainings we work with the legal framework, analyze particularities and the new responsibilities of the providers", said AC President Liliana Vițu.

Falk Lange, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau added: „Given the importance of the AC’s work during past and the current electoral periods and the heightened attention towards this year’s referendum and presidential elections, we are proud as Council of Europe to continue building the capacity of the AC to be better prepared for the challenges ahead”.

The electoral period started on August 1, 2024, and the electoral campaign will start on September 20, two months before the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on EU accession.