MCCM
RESILIENCE
OUR MEDIA
This analysis presents the situation in the media field, the new trends, and the critical areas that can affect the development of the media sphere in North Macedonia as well as democracy. The poor media market, disinformation, ineffective regulation, and growing dependence of media on state funds are some of the key challenges that can hinder the development of the media industry in the country.
The economic potential of the market cannot ensure the development of the audiovisual sphere and long-term sustainability of media. However, increasing institutional mechanisms are making the media more and more financially dependent on the state budget and increase the possibility of media clientelism and political influences. Disinformation and disregard of ethical standards, especially in the digital environment, bring a need for fundamental basic regulation in this segment. Additionally, in terms of the broader socio-political framework, systemic corruption and non-transparency of institutions reduce trust in institutions, including the media.
As a result, the state shows a weak democratic capacity to effectively deal with the above-mentioned negative practices and lack of support for the development of the media sphere. These issues limit citizens’ access to quality information and control over institutions.
The following conclusions can be drawn from the data analysis:
- The socio-economic status of journalists should be continuously advancedviaimprovement of working conditions in newsrooms and greater acknowledgementoflabour rights on the part of media owners and the state.
- Rapidtechnologicalandinformationchangesimposetheneedforadaptingtheethicalandprofessionalstandardstothenewdigitalenvironment, aswellascreatingspecificguidelinesforthemediaandjournalistsintermsoftheuseofartificialintelligence.
- The interest of young people in studies in journalism, communications, and media is drastically decreasing due to the weak link between studies with the labour market, the poor economic situation in media, and the inherent risks to this profession. Itisnecessarytomodernizethestudyprogrammes and curriculawhich shouldbein line with thenewlyemerging environment, as well as making it possible to interlink with the media industry.
- Disinformation and non-compliance with ethical standards are often evident in online media, thus there is already a wide discussion in the media community about the legal definition of the status and functioning of the online media.
- Ownership transparency in broadcast media is at a high level, which is not the case in internet media, as the latter are outside the legal scope. The legal solution for pluralism in media ownership does not correspond to the new digital environment, therefore changes are needed that will enable development of the media market and industry consolidation.
- Funds from the state budget for paid political advertising during elections and public interest campaigns have increased in recent years and represent a significant source of funding for many media outlets. The above increases media dependence on state funds, as well as the possibility of corruption and media clientelism.
- Professional media organizations and the civil sector support the idea ofestablishing a fund for the development of media pluralism, to serve as an independent mechanism for developing projects and contents of public interest. Such approach will encourage diversity, quality, and independence in the media industry.
- In the media landscape, there are not enough media and/or programmes that represent ethnic groups, marginalized groups, and personswith disabilities, while non-profit media is one of the most underdeveloped segments therein.
- Trust in institutions, including in the media, is very low, due to the high level of systemic corruption, disinformation, non-transparency, and weak effectiveness of institutions.
- Media literacy is included in formal education as a systemic approach to teaching, but awareness of its importance should be promoted more among all age groups and segments of society.
- Transparent and efficient policies, comprehensive analyses, and overarching strategies are needed to cover all segments of the media market, including the digital sphere. The limited media market adversely affects the economic situation of the media, resulting ina lack ofevident development of pluralism, diversity, and independence of the media in the audiovisual media sphere.
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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.
