Skopje, 12 November 2023 (MIA) - Freedom of expression, public interest and free media are a society's top priorities. They must not be threatened or hindered in any way, Deputy PM for good governance policies Slavica Grkovska posted on Facebook in connection with the court decision on the case "Feroinvest v. IRL" involving Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL) journalists.

"I fully oppose the scandalous attempts to discredit the right of journalists to write, raise alarm, criticize and express doubts. Journalism must be independent, free, self-regulated by media regulatory authorities and organizations, in accordance with legal regulations and journalistic standards. No one has the right, neither the judiciary nor other state institutions, to ban or limit freedom of the media and freedom of expression, which are guaranteed by the Constitution," said Grkovska. 

Judge Jovanka Spirovska Paneva decided that IRL is liable for defamation and insult in the case "Feroinvest v. IRL" for the documentary film "Conspiracy against Air". The ruling states, among other, that IRL is not a media outlet and may face a ban on operating.