The fight for freedom of expression is no longer confined to newsrooms — it is being waged in courtrooms, where judges and prosecutors are pivotal in defending democratic space. In this context, judges and public prosecutors from across North Macedonia gathered in Skopje for a capacity-building activity focused on protecting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. This cascade training was organised by the EU and Council of Europe joint action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in North Macedonia” (PRO-FREX)  in co-operation with the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors.

This is the first structured cascade event in a series of trainings designed to institutionalise knowledge-sharing using adult learning methodologies developed under the PRO-FREX action. It follows two Training-of-Trainers sessions previously held for both newly and previously trained judges, prosecutors, and lawyers, and marks a key step toward ensuring long-term sustainability and impact within the national judiciary.

This event builds on nearly a decade of successful cooperation between the Council of Europe and the Academy, under the JUFREX programme, and continues to strengthen the judiciary’s role in upholding freedom of expression in line with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law.

Held shortly after World Press Freedom Day (3 May), this event also served as a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in North Macedonia. According to the latest 2025 World Press Freedom Index by “Reporters Without Borders” North Macedonia fell from 36th to 42nd place, signalling increasing concerns around media freedom and journalist safety.

One major threat addressed during the event is the rise of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) – abusive legal actions aimed at silencing critical reporting. Participants explored relevant Council of Europe and EU instruments to counter SLAPPs, and reflected on how to better safeguard journalists from intimidation through legal harassment.

International and local consultants facilitated the sessions focusing on the legal dimensions of freedom of expression, including practical case analysis, the state’s positive obligations under Article 10 of the ECHR, and interactive discussions on the application of self-regulation and anti-SLAPP standards in judicial proceedings. The international consultant Peter Noorlander, a renowned legal professional involved in the development of the Council of Europe’s Handbook on Freedom of Expression and co-author of the training modules on SLAPPs, was joined by a local appellate court judge Aleksandar Shopov who has served as a local consultant since 2016, as well as a journalist Vasko Magleshov with extensive experience in investigative reporting and court monitoring. Their combined expertise offered a multi-stakeholder and intersectional perspective that enriched the discussions.

By supporting the judiciary in developing a consistent, human rights-based approach to freedom of expression and media protection, these activities contribute directly in the efforts to uphold the rule of law and democratic values in North Macedonia.

This activity was organised by the action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in North Macedonia (PRO-FREX)” , implemented by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.