Strengthening Independent Journalism in North Macedonia

Together with the Association of Journalists (AJM) and our other partners, the OSCE Mission to Skopje remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting high-quality journalism. This includes a focus on strengthening independent reporting, advancing investigative journalism, and promoting a diverse media environment in North Macedonia.

Our continuous partnership with AJM features the annual summer camp designed for young journalists, with a primary emphasis on enhancing investigative journalism skills and fostering proficiency in both digital and physical self-protection. The activity has evolved into a valuable platform for the professional development of emerging journalists and serves as a hub for editorial networking.

The Mission is committed to expanding the reach and impact of our joint efforts, fostering increased cooperation among journalists within the country and the wider region. Building on past achievements, intensified collaborations aim to inform and empower young journalists through regional events and training programs.

Underlining the critical need to support education and encouragement in this area, discussions are underway for the establishment of an Academy for young journalists. The goal is to enhance reporting skills, foster high-quality journalism, and create a robust network that facilitates knowledge exchange and professional growth. Ultimately, the aim is to better equip the next generation of journalists with the tools needed to navigate the evolving media landscape and contribute to an informed and independent press.

In our discussions on future initiatives, emphasis was also given to AJM's proposal for a fund supporting media pluralism. The establishment of this fund seeks to ensure equal access to resources for all media and journalists, contributing to a more balanced and diverse media landscape in the country.

Ensuring journalistic independence and prioritizing public interest in the media space remains a key focus of the Mission. Collaborating with AJM, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and other partners, the Mission consistently works on the protection of journalists, placing special emphasis on the safety of female journalists.

In March, the Mission will support trainings for the youth wings of political parties, also focusing on monitoring and combating hate speech against journalists. This initiative aims to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of such speech, particularly in the context of political activities and electoral campaigns this year.