A strong investigative report tackles current societal issues, targets public figures, uncovers irregularities in the management of public funds, resonates with the audience, and leads to tangible change in the relevant field — these were some of the key conclusions drawn by investigative journalists during the Regional Investigative Journalism Forum, where they discussed some of the most impactful investigations published in Moldova during 2024–2025.

“An investigation is strong when it’s of public interest, when it targets those in power, follows the money, uncovers abuses in public spending, uses multiple databases, and is well-received by the public — even more so if it leads to change, whether immediate or long-term,” said Adela Șevciuc, investigative reporter with Cu Sens. She shared her experience working on the investigation “€11,000 Bribe for a Judge,” which detailed the context and manner in which the bribe was offered to influence a court ruling. While nearly all individuals involved were exposed, the judge did not face criminal charges.

“A true investigation begins with a journalist’s own initiative — not from documents handed over by a source,” emphasized Mariana Rață. She believes that a good investigation stems from identifying a problem and pursuing it.

“Sometimes writing a strong investigation requires not just rigorous documentation, but even a kind of 'schooling' in the specific field.” She referred to her report “FSB’s Pawns on the Chișinău–Paris Axis,” which began with news in the French press about young men who, a year ago, painted the Star of David on buildings in Paris. “We wondered: what do Moldovans have to do with painting stars in France?” she recalled.

Through collaboration with sources in Moldova and France, her team found that the young men had ties to the Șor Party and were involved in provocations and protests both in France and Moldova. Although there were strong indications that the orders came from Moscow, this could not be definitively proven.

From another angle, Piotr Garciu, a journalist from Comrat, argued that a good investigation must leave no questions unanswered and offer no grounds for legal action from those exposed. His report “Strategic Assets Lost by Gagauz Authorities” revealed how a strategic oil depot, located near the Ukrainian border and just a few dozen kilometers from the Giurgiulești port and the Romanian border, was sold off a few years ago for approximately 5 million lei. Today, the property is abandoned. The depot once belonged to the Executive Committee of the Gagauz Autonomous Territorial Unit.

Another example of impact-driven journalism was offered by Dorin Rusu from TV Nord, who spoke about an investigation that began more than a decade ago in the village of Horodiște, Rîșcani. There, a businessman tried to open a quarry on land officially listed as agricultural. Locals fought back for over ten years. “I wrote about it, and one year later, the Ministry of Environment intervened and declared the rock formation a national monument,” Rusu said.

The forum also spotlighted several other high-profile investigations produced over the years by the team at the Center for Investigative Journalism in Moldova (CIJM). In its more than 20 years of activity, CIJM has published over 1,000 investigations, revealing abuses and illegal schemes and making a significant impact on Moldovan society.

“We’ve faced over 30 lawsuits as a result of our investigations. The journalist’s shield is accuracy. CIJM has not lost a single case — a testament to our objectivity and integrity,” said Cornelia Cozonac, CIJM’s president. “Our team has withstood pressure, legal threats, and various attacks. In Moldova, when you touch someone’s interests, there are often more defenders of the corrupt than of the journalists who dare to confront them.”

The Regional Investigative Journalism Forum is organized by the Center of Investigative Journalism from Moldova, with financial support from International Media Support, Soros-Moldova, and Tactical Tech (Berlin). Event partners include StarNet, Rezident.NGO, the Faculty of International Relations and Journalism at ULIM, and companies such as Azuga, VitaPharm, Gitana, and Nivalli.