Skopje, 15 May 2023 (MIA) -  Respecting high professional standards, proper funding and independent governance is very important to ensure long-term sustainability for the Media Information Agency (MIA), OSCE Media Freedom Representative Teresa Ribeiro said in an interview with MIA.

She pointed out that would protect the Agency of any capture coming from business interests or political interests, and that would be a main recommendation in terms of MIA's functioning. 

"It’s like the audiovisual public service, definitely to respect high professional standards, it’s very important, to have proper funding and also an independent governance that in a way protects the agency of any capture coming from business interests or political interests," Ribeiro said.

She mentioned that recently the OSCE Mission in Skopje organized a big debate around the possible ways to ensure long-term sustainability for the Agency.  

"As far as I know the recommendations are not yet published, I would be more than happy to look at them when they will be published. I hope that really you can find the best way to protect the agency in order to allow it to continue the fantastic work it’s doing in the country," Ribeiro told MIA. 

She also commented on the upcoming South East Europe Media Conference, taking place in Skopje on Tuesday and Wednesday, the state of press freedom in North Macedonia, RSF's remarks made on political polarisation, reforms in terms of the public broadcasting service, among other. 

The interview with the OSCE Media Freedom Representative, Teresa Ribeiro, will be published in full along with video material on Tuesday.