The claim of a district councilor from Anenii Noi against TVR Chișinău was dismissed by the court of first instance

The Chişinău District Court, Central Office, rejected as unfounded the lawsuit filed by Ghenadie Ganu, district councilor from Anenii Noi, against TVR Chișinău Studio, seeking recognition of defamation of his honor, dignity, and professional reputation. The dispute concerns a news item published in March 2025, which stated that the protagonist had been sentenced to unpaid community service after being caught driving while under the influence of alcohol. The full decision was made public on January 13.

According to the plaintiff, TVR Moldova published on its website and distributed on social media an article based on a non-final court decision, which implied that he was guilty before the trial had ended. Ganu claims that this violated his right to the presumption of innocence, guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova and the European Convention on Human Rights.

In addition, he stated in court that the material was widely distributed online, which amplified the negative impact on his public image, including in his capacity as a local elected official and president of the War Veterans Union. The plaintiff claims that he had previously asked the media outlet to delete the article and publish a retraction and public apology, but TVR Moldova refused to comply with his request.

Initially, Ganu requested moral damages in the amount of one million lei, but later reduced his claim to 100,000 lei. He also submitted to the court the text of the retraction he is requesting to be published. During the court hearing, the plaintiff maintained his opinion, stating that although there is a conviction upheld by the Court of Appeal, a request for review has been filed and is currently under consideration.

Representatives of TVR Moldova did not attend the court hearing and did not submit a written statement to the case file.

Judge Maria Țurcan justified her decision by stating that TVR Moldova’s materials are based on an existing court ruling and present verifiable facts, without distortion, insults, or derogatory remarks. “In the opinion of the court, it should first be noted that the claimant, Ganu Ghenadie, is a public figure within the meaning of Article 2 of Law No. 64 of 23.04.2010, according to which: a public figure is a person who exercises public functions or another person who, due to their status, social position, or other circumstances, arouses public interest,” the ruling states.