Security checks halt selection of Moldova public broadcast chief
The final interview stage was scheduled for Friday, July 17, featuring four shortlisted candidates: Dorin Scobioală, Ecaterina Cheptănaru, Sergiu Sandulescu, and Andrei Zapșa. The board voted 5-2 to delay the process just hours before the sessions were set to begin.
Intelligence agency cites hybrid threats
SIS Director Alexandru Musteața cited pressing national security concerns, highlighting escalating hybrid warfare, foreign interference, and targeted disinformation campaigns aimed at Moldova’s information space.
Given TRM's strategic role in national information security, SIS proposed establishing a mandatory screening process before candidates proceed in the competition. Applicants must now complete a specialized security questionnaire, and refusal to comply will result in automatic disqualification.
SIS has up to 30 days to complete the background checks. Following the submission of results, the Supervisory Board will reconvene within two to three days to set a new interview date.
Heated debates over process integrity
The sudden intervention sparked intense debate among board members. Member Corneliu Popovici opposed the delay, arguing the vote should proceed as scheduled to avoid institutional delays.
"Receiving this letter on the day of the vote is highly suspicious when the competition was announced long ago," Popovici said. He suggested disqualifying the winner later if security issues arose, allowing the runner-up to take the post.
However, Supervisory Board President Arcadie Gherasim defended the postponement, stating the board wants to avoid drawn-out legal disputes with disqualified winners.
Gherasim reassured the public that daily operations at TRM will remain unaffected, noting that the outgoing director can legally remain in office until October. The board ultimately grounded its 5-2 decision on Law No. 271/2008 concerning the verification of public office candidates.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
