Skopje, 28 February 2025 (MIA) - Media and civil society organizations play a big role in the democratic processes and the promotion of democratic values. A political framework is necessary to protect journalists in line with the European legislation, said speakers at the second working session of the 23rd meeting of the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) held in the Parliament of North Macedonia on Friday.

In his address at the session, MEP Gordan Bosanac noted democracy cannot exist without free media and civil society.

“An important element of democracy aren’t only the parties and the institutional framework. There is no democracy without free media and civil society. If some country has issues with the freedom of the press, then it shouldn’t be a member of the European Union. The issue is that even in the EU we have challenges in this area today. Some of our member states face challenges like these, but we must always be aware of the need to focus on this,” Bosanac said. 

Bosanac said reports show media outlets in North Macedonia are free, but the challenges frequently lie with privately owned media. The same issue, he said, exists in the European Union as well.

“There should be independently funded media, since sometimes private interests within media can prevail over the public interest. In regard to civil society, I have cooperated with many civil society organizations in North Macedonia and I must say that the civil society scene is alive. However, I am concerned due to the general trend in North Macedonia that comes from the US, with the USAID freeze,” Bosanac underlined.

European Front MP Arbana Pasholi stressed that both media and civil society organizations play a big role in the democratic processes and the promotion of democratic values. She said press freedom is a process that must consistently be improved, and journalists must have all freedoms and rights, and do their job responsibly, professionally and impartially.

“Challenges still exist regarding media outlets in our country which prevent them from operating with complete freedom – due to political influence, financial limitations and public trust,” Pasholi said.

In his address, MEP Konstantinos Arvanitis highlighted the need for a political framework, based on European legislation, that would protect journalists and serve as a guarantee for free speech. 

“We need to ensure a normal functioning of public media, which are transparent and financed with public funds. Additionally, we need to have independent associations of journalists. We know that there are media outlets that operate under certain influence, that some things aren’t reported in the media. The citizens want their voices to be heard,” Arvanitis said.

Arvanitis stressed North Macedonia must be a full-fledged member of the European Union without further conditions and it should continue to build good neighborly relations. 

The European Parliament’s rapporteur for North Macedonia, Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz, touched upon environmental issues in his address. 

“It is important for the citizens to have clean air, clean water and a life that will allow their children to remain here and build the country instead of leaving because they feel they are not respected. It is sad to see how polluted your country is. I have visited Galichica, Pelister, Prespa, Ohrid, Kratovo, Mavrovo... The natural heritage you have is exceptional and is your greatest pride, that is why you need to find a solution. You have wonderful rivers, but they are polluted. You have fertile soil and beautiful rivers and this is your wealth, but you need to know how to protect this natural wealth, because it is important for our future,” Waitz said. 

The JPC, set up in 2004, is a forum for exchange of experiences and positions towards strengthening mutual partnership and the commitment for the country's European future. The committee meets twice a year – in the Parliament of North Macedonia and in the European Parliament. 

Photo: MIA Archive