Ensuring the safety of journalists and upholding freedom of expression remain vital pillars of a thriving democracy and important priorities in the framework of the Council of Europe and European Union support to local beneficiaries.

In North Macedonia, public actors are intensifying their efforts to advance stronger protections and ensure better support mechanisms for media professionals working under increasing pressure. As part of the “Journalists Matter” campaign, a prominent initiative advocating for journalists’ rights and protection, multiple exchanges and meetings have been conducted with key national authorities to reinforce co-ordinated actions aimed at improving journalist safety and promoting freedom of expression in North Macedonia.   

In this framework the establishment of a National Committee on media freedom and safety of journalists, an essential objective of the Journalists Matter Campaign is being discussed with key actors. Drawing from successful models in other member states, the Committee is envisioned as an interagency, multi-stakeholder body primarily composed by representatives of state institutions such as ministries and public agencies, alongside strong representation from civil society organisations and journalists’ associations. Its core tasks will include designing a National Action Plan for journalists’ safety, establishing related protection mechanisms, and co-ordinating and reviewing their implementation. The meetings confirmed the interest of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior to join forces in establishing the National Committee on media freedom and safety of journalists and incorporating the development of anti-SLAPP legislation as one of the priorities of the National Action Plan for journalists’ safety.

During these discussions the “Journalists Matter” Campaign in North Macedonia was represented by the national focal point, Muhamed Ismailji - Assistant Minister for the Department of Public Relations and Strategic Issues (Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia) and recently appointed focal point for the “Journalists Matter” Campaign, re-affirmed the government’s commitment to media freedom and collaboration with the Council of Europe to improve the safety of journalists in line with European standards. Another significant discussion was on the ongoing capacity-building initiatives, notably specialised training for law enforcement officers. Vlatko Mitkovski, Assistant Minister of Training Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia, highlighted the importance of these trainings and confirmed their integration into both basic and advanced police programmes, to ensure sustainability and local ownership. These efforts aim to enhance police understanding of journalists’ rights and improve protection mechanisms on the ground.

The joint Council of Europe and EU PRO-FREX action will play a key supportive role throughout this process by providing expertise, facilitating stakeholder consultations, and promoting good practices to ensure the Committee’s effective establishment and operation. Furthermore, the PRO-FREX action will assist in developing the National Action Plan on journalists’ safety by offering guidance aligned with Council of Europe standards, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and helping tailor the plan to North Macedonia’s specific context and needs.

It was stressed that leveraging local expertise is essential to developing a National Action Plan on the journalists’ safety, building on the momentum generated by the April 2024 conference on “Upholding Journalistic Integrity and Advancing Freedom of Expression in North Macedonia,” where this initiative was first introduced to key stakeholders.

The development of the National Action Plan and protection mechanisms under the Campaign will be guided by Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 on the protection of journalism and safety of journalists and other media actors, as well as Implementation Guide Implementation guide “How to protect journalists and other media actors?”.

The meetings concluded with a shared interest to accelerate the implementation of journalist safety measures by the end of 2025. Through close collaboration among the PRO-FREX action, the “Journalists Matter” Campaign, government representatives, and civil society, North Macedonia is well positioned to make significant strides in safeguarding media freedom and protecting journalists.

This initiative was conducted in the framework of the Council of Europe and EU joint programme  “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and its action on “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in North Macedonia (PRO-FREX)”, implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression.