Non-governmental media organisations are deeply concerned about the doubling of the deadlines for the Commission for Exceptional Situations (CSE) to deal with requests for access to information of public interest during the state of emergency. According to point 26 of the CSE Order No. 3 of 15 April 2021, "during the state of emergency, the legal deadlines set for resolving requests made in the exercise of free access to information of public interest, as well as petitions, shall be doubled". It should be recalled that, according to the provisions of the Law on Access to Information, the maximum period within which providers are obliged to provide the applicant with the requested information is 15 working days. However, the law provides for the possibility to extend this deadline by another 5 working days if the request concerns a very large amount of information or additional consultations are needed to satisfy the request. Therefore, as a result of the CSE provision, journalists, as well as citizens, will only be able to expect a response from the public authorities to a request for information after 30 working days, which would mean in practice 42 calendar days. We stress that media representatives have so far faced a multitude of obstacles and difficulties in obtaining information of public interest, and the doubling of the legal deadlines for processing requests is just another barrier designed to reduce transparency in the work of public authorities and institutions. We believe that doubling the deadlines for processing requests for access to information of public interest is a disproportionate and unjustified measure, which may lead to encouraging the spread of untruthful and speculative information, which the state authorities themselves must combat. In the difficult situation in which our society finds itself, we need, more than ever, to inform the public correctly and promptly. Lack of information can create panic among the population and increase distrust in public authorities. In this connection, we call on the members of the Committee on Exceptional Situations, in accordance with their legal powers, to stop the deviation from standards in the field of access to information of public interest and to adopt a balanced policy in relation to the application of exceptional measures to the detriment of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by law. Independent Journalism Centre Independent Press Association Electronic Press Association Journalistic Investigation Centre Press Freedom Committee Independent Telejournalists Association "Acces-Info" Centre RISE Moldova Association of Environmental and Environmental Tourism Journalists