The READ project is to contribute to the development and consolidation of the rule of law in Moldova with full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. READ is a collaborative effort between International Media Support (IMS) and Independent Journalism Center (IJC), recognising three critical issues:
• Russian disinformation’s security threat;
• limited audience capacity for critical thinking and Media and Information Literacy (MIL);
• escalating online assaults and threats against journalists.
READ will strengthen the capacities of independent media and journalists to provide the public with reliable information as follows:
I. will fight disinformation by increased capacities of media workers and a better understanding among citizens of the threats inherent to the online media;
II. will help detect, prevent, and count digital, physical, legal, and other types of attacks and threats to journalists and other media workers.

The specific objective of READ is that independent media in Moldova have increased capacity and measures to counter disinformation, reach the public with reliable information, promote critical thinking among citizens and operate in a more enabling environment offline and online.

The expected outputs of READ are as follows:
Output 1 - Support for mass-media and to fights disinformation.
Output 2 - Promote critical thinking and MIL on policy-level.
Output 3 - Media lawyers which act in accordance with European standards and are better equipped to take cases infringing upon the right to press freedom.

The impact of READ is anticipated to manifest across various levels, with the most profound transformation expected to emerge from the comprehensive capacity building of independent media and journalists in Moldova. This, in turn, will lead to a more informed public, better decision-making, increased civic engagement and forges an environment where the consolidation of rule of law and the upholding of human rights and fundamental freedoms become intrinsic.