MCCM
RESILIENCE
OUR MEDIA
In recent years, the media sphere in North Macedonia has recorded slow progress, due less to systemic reforms and more to partial shifts in regulation driven by lobbying efforts from the media community and international actors. Аlthough international indicators of media freedom suggest a favourable environment for media operations, and point to an upward trajectory, the sector continues in practice to face persistent structural challenges. These include stagnation of the media industry, fragile financial sustainability, inconsistent adherence to professional standards, and an ongoing need to improve the socio-economic status of journalists.
This analysis explores citizens’ perceptions of the media and journalism, their views on the media market and its financing, as well as their media-use habits, levels of trust in the media, and perceptions of democracy in the country. It builds on the findings and trends identified in the 2024 research, which collected and analysed quantitative data on these issues.
The most significant development in the media sphere in North Macedonia during 2025 was the legal recognition of online media through their inclusion in the formal definition of media. This step is expected to introduce greater order into the online media environment, enhance transparency of ownership, and help strengthen professional standards. Under the pressure of new technological and informational trends, journalism and the media are undergoing transformation, in both form and content, as well as in the platforms used for distribution. This also entails shifts in the understanding of the role and function of the media, as well as their significance within society. Instead of serving merely as “transmitters” of information, now easily accessible through numerous other channels, the media are increasingly expected to strengthen their educational role, promote critical thinking among audiences, and prioritize the public interest.
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The regional program “Our Media: A civil society action to generate media literacy and activism, counter polarisation and promote dialogue” is implemented with the financial support of the European Union by partner organizations SEENPM, Albanian Media Institute, Mediacentar Sarajevo, Press Council of Kosovo, Montenegrin Media Institute, Macedonian Institute for Media, Novi Sad School of Journalism, Peace Institute and Bianet.
This article was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of SEENPM and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
