AJM: Appeals from the Ministry of Health are on the verge of censorship
The Journalists Association of Macedonia (AJM) is following with concern the public communication of the Ministry of Health, which addresses appeals to the media that are restrictive in their content and represent an attempt to establish poor institutional practice in relations with the media.
As AJM, we condemn the Ministry’s attempt to impose practical rules on how the media should report, especially when it concerns sensitive events of public interest. Such instructions, although formally presented as appeals, are essentially a form of institutional pressure and possible censorship, which is contrary to basic democratic principles and the right to freedom of expression.
We recall that Article 16 of the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia guarantees freedom of public information and prohibits censorship, and issues related to journalistic ethics and professionalism belong exclusively to the self-regulatory sphere. For these issues, there is the Media Ethics Council and the Court of Honor at the AJM, which are solely responsible for assessing possible violations of ethical norms.
We call on journalists and media workers to continue reporting with professionalism, ethics and sensitivity, especially when it comes to tragic events and vulnerable groups. At the same time, we point out that any attempt to institutionally limit access to information and the manner of reporting is unacceptable and harmful to the public interest.
AJM remains open to dialogue with institutions in order to promote transparency and mutual cooperation, but we stand firmly in defense of editorial independence, media freedom and the public’s right to be informed – as fundamental values of any democratic society.
