Skopje, 3 May 2024 (MIA) - The Republic of North Macedonia is ranked 36th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, based on a report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), moving up two spots compared to last year when it came in 38th place. 

North Macedonia is also ranked the highest among the Western Balkan countries, ahead of Montenegro (40), Slovenia (42), Croatia (48), Kosovo (75), Bosnia and Herzegovina (81), Serbia (98) and Albania (99). 

"Although journalists do not work in a hostile environment, widespread disinformation and a lack of professionalism contribute to the decline of society's trust in the media, which exposes independent outlets to threats and attacks. Furthermore, government officials tend to have poor and demeaning attitudes towards journalists," reads the report. 

In terms of the media landscape, RSF notes that although television is the dominant source of information, online media play an important role. Yet, a distinction must be made between professional online newsrooms that employ journalists and publish original content, and individual portals that plagiarise and copy and paste content. There is also a big gap between usage and trust: the most watched TV stations have a low reliability index.

On the political context, the report says that the overall environment remains favourable to press freedom but government agencies are not very transparent and critical journalism is increasingly subject to attack. 

"Due to strong political polarisation, the media can come under pressure from the authorities, politicians and businessmen at both the national and local level. The two largest parties (in power and in opposition) have created parallel media systems over which they exert their political and economic influence.  The public broadcaster lacks editorial and financial independence," reads the report. 

In the context of the legal framework, RSF points out that while the constitution guarantees freedom of speech and prohibits censorship, the country has been slow to harmonise media legislation with the standards of the European Union, which it intends to join.

"SLAPP procedures serve as instruments of intimidation and pressure on independent media. The defamation conviction, in 2023, of the IRL media outlet for its general interest investigation set a dangerous precedent. A new law re-authorising national and local authorities to advertise in privately owned media has raised concerns about possible associated influence peddling," the report notes. 

Under the economic context it is said that although certain types of media concentration are prohibited by law, the editorial staff of some of the major TV channels are exposed to economic pressures from their owners. State funding is limited and non-transparent, and independent media rely heavily on donors. Project-based foreign grants contribute to mere survival, but not to further development. Journalism is a very precarious profession. Some media outlets are subjected to influence peddling by marketing agencies. 

In terms of the sociocultural context, RSF notes that although there are no clear constraints in the social and cultural environment that affect free journalism, social media and the digital sphere generally favour the spread of disinformation and cyberthreats. Combined with low professional standards, they contribute to the decline of public trust in the media and pave the way for attacks on journalists based on gender, ethnicity or religion.

As regards safety, the report notes that journalists are often targets of verbal attacks.

"Under the pretext of protecting state secrets and personal data, they may be exposed to judicial pressure and arbitrary legal proceedings. Nevertheless, the courts tend to uphold freedom of the press and protect journalists. In the capital, a special prosecutor was appointed to handle cases of attacks against journalists, and the opening of similar offices across the country is under consideration," reads RSF's report on the country. 

Norway, Denmark and Sweden top the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, whereas Turkmenistan, Iran and North Korea are among the lowest ranking. 

Photo: MIA archive / Print screen