Social Media

In Moldova, people are increasingly turning to social networks for information. According to the latest Public Opinion Barometer conducted in August 2023, 76.3% of respondents reported using the Internet daily, with an additional 6.2% using it several times per week. For 53.6% of respondents, the Internet has become the most important source of information, surpassing television (30.1%). Moreover, 38.5% of respondents consider the Internet their most trusted information source, with television ranking second at 20.3%. The Barometer data also reveals that Facebook is the most popular social network among Moldovans (59.1%), followed by YouTube (34.5%) and Instagram (31.6%).

In a survey conducted by "CBS-Research" for the WatchDog Community, Moldovans were asked about their social media usage patterns. The results showed that 59.3% of Moldovans prefer spending time on Facebook, while 23.7% favour Instagram. YouTube attracts 18.8% of respondents, and TikTok is preferred by approximately 15.7%. Notably, 17.9% of respondents reported not using social networks at all.

According to the national study "Population Perception of Mass Media and Media Skills in Moldova," conducted by Magenta Consulting and published by Internews Moldova in March 2023, most respondents rely on television and social networks as their primary daily information sources. The study indicates that internet users access Facebook (70%), Instagram (35%), and TikTok (29%) multiple times daily. Additionally, more than a quarter of weekly internet users (28%) access Telegram daily. Social networks such as Instagram (94%), TikTok (87%), and Telegram (92%) are predominantly used by young people under 25, while Facebook maintains broad usage across all demographic groups.

A May-June 2024 survey by the International Republican Institute reveals that 46% of respondents rely on social networks as their first or second source of political information. The survey also shows that 65% of respondents get information from Facebook, 50% from YouTube, 28% from TikTok, and 27% from Instagram.