Skopje, 3 May 2024 (MIA) - North Macedonia is marking Friday the World Press Freedom Day (May 3) with journalists paid below-average wages while working in unsafe conditions and being at risk of intimidation and violence.

In the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders (RSF)  ranked North Macedonia 38th out of 180 countries, climbing 19 spots compared to its ranking in 2022. The country ranked the highest among the Western Balkan countries, ahead of Montenegro (39), Croatia (42), Kosovo (56), Bosnia and Herzegovina (64), Serbia (91) and Albania (96).

Yet, in its report on the country’s press environment, RSF said that although journalists do not work in a hostile environment, widespread misinformation and lack of professionalism contribute to society's declining trust in the media, which exposes independent outlets to threats and attacks. Furthermore, government officials tend to have poor and demeaning attitudes towards journalists.

In terms of the political context, RSF said last year that the overall environment remains favourable to press freedom and allows for critical reporting, although transparency of institutions is rather poor. Due to strong political polarisation, it noted, the media can be subjected to pressure by the authorities, politicians and businessmen. The two largest parties (in power and in opposition) have created parallel media systems over which they exert their political and economic influence. The public broadcaster lacks editorial and financial independence, the report added.

The U.S. State Department's report on human rights practices in North Macedonia in 2023 highlighted serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, undermined by justice system ineffectiveness, lack of transparency regarding media advertising by state institutions, inappropriate conduct on behalf of public officials in their interaction with journalists, pressure on journalists investigating corruption, disinformation, hate speech in online and social media, and self-censorship.

The U.S. Department of State's report also noted that independent media associations expressed apprehension concerning proposed changes to the Law on Audio and Audio-Visual Services, which could permit “high public interest” government campaigns to be advertised through commercial broadcasters. Critics argued this could exacerbate media corruption and editorial interference, reads the report.

The European Commission in its latest progress report on the country noted that North Macedonia is in between some and moderate level of preparation on freedom of expression.

Overall, it made limited progress. The general context is favourable to media freedom and allows for critical media reporting. The amended Criminal Code and Law on civil liability for defamation raised the overall level of legal protection for journalists. However, a number of attacks, threats and some intimidating behaviour towards journalists were noted, the EC assessed in the latest Progress Report on North Macedonia.

The Commission’s recommendations from last year remain valid. In the coming year, North Macedonia should revise the legal framework governing the media to bring it into line with the EU acquis and European standards, in particular on competition and state aid rules, intellectual property rights, part of the EU Single Market; step up implementation of the strategy to reform the public broadcaster and finalise appointments for the public service broadcaster’s programme council and the media regulator’s council; continue to promptly address all threats and acts of violence against journalists and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

Seventy percent of media workers in the country are paid a wage below the state average

Pavle Belovski, president of the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) told a press conference on Thursday that the problems journalists are facing can be overcome with unity and courage.

Several messages will be sent today, he told reporters, relating to freedom of the press, freedom of expression and the right to freedom of speech.

“Speaking of freedom of speech, let’s not forget that freedom of the press is based on a secure job and freedom of expression. Thus, we should ask ourselves – do we have the necessary conditions. In answering the question, we must note that 70 percent, i.e. over 2,000 media workers are paid a wage below the state average,” Belovski said

Dragan Sekulovski, executive director of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (ZNM) said that journalists while working in unsafe conditions are also subject to intimidation and violence.

“Freedom of the press is usually in relation to the right to access to information and May 3 advocates for freedom of information as a basic human right, which is key to informing the society and to making decisions regarding the functioning of a democracy,” he stated. 

Press freedom key to democracy, especially at a time when 40 countries across the world will be holding elections 

The UN General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day, to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.

Nordic countries lead World Press Freedom. According to RSF, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Finland topped the 2023 Press Freedom Index, while some of the Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, Iran, Vietnam, China and North Korea, were at the bottom of the list.

Freedom of the press is especially important in electoral processes and strengthening democracy in the world. This year, in addition to North Macedonia, which holds presidential and parliamentary elections, 40 other countries across the world already held or are yet to hold elections, including the elections for the European Parliament (June 6-9) and the elections in the United States (November 5). Since the beginning of the year, more than four billion people have gone to the polls or will go to the polls and set the course their countries will follow. 

Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, in a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day highlighted the critical role that journalists play, especially in the 2024 election year, to safeguard democracy. 

"As millions of citizens in Europe and other continents vote in crucial elections in 2024, we must recall the critical role that journalists and quality media play in ensuring access to pluralist and reliable information and diverse opinions and ideas, so that we can make informed choices when exercising our democratic rights," Pejčinović Burić said, as cited by the Council of Europe.  

Without diverse, free, and independent media and journalists, true democracy decays and can perish, she added. 

"They are a pillar of democracy, and we should never forget that their freedom is also ours," reads the press release. 

Pejčinović Burić noted that media freedom continues to be under constant attack in Europe, adding that these threats include the unlawful deployment of spyware and abusive lawsuits against journalists, physical attacks, intimidation, detention, restrictive legislation, media capture and attacks on public service media. 

According to her, for media and journalists to play their essential democratic role, they need to be able to work in a safe environment. 

Photo: MIA archive