AJM Assembly Adopts Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Council of Honour

The Assembly of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM), at its regular session held on 9 July 2026, adopted the amendments to the Rules of Procedure governing the election and work of the Council of Honour.

The amendments were proposed by the members of the Council of Honour and are aimed at making the Council’s work more efficient, transparent and functional by providing clearer rules on its mandate, procedures and methods of operation.

Under the new provisions, in addition to acting upon submitted complaints, the Council of Honour may also initiate proceedings on its own initiative whenever it identifies a potential breach of the Code of Journalists of Macedonia. The amendments also enable the Council, where necessary, to engage external experts and consultants, as well as the AJM Professional Service, in order to ensure that its decisions are thoroughly reasoned and professionally prepared.

The revised Rules also introduce the possibility of holding Council sessions electronically, as well as conducting electronic voting whenever necessary to ensure timely decision-making. In addition, new provisions have been introduced to ensure the continuity of the Council’s work in situations where one of its members is unable to participate for an extended period.

The amendments establish shorter procedural deadlines and further regulate the handling of complaints, strengthening the right of reply of the member concerned while ensuring a fairer and more transparent procedure.

Another important amendment introduces a clearer framework for addressing repeated violations of the Code of Journalists of Macedonia. In such cases, the Council of Honour may issue a public warning or submit a proposal to the AJM Executive Board for the member’s exclusion from the Association, in accordance with the conditions set out in the Rules and within the Executive Board’s statutory competences.

The revised Rules also reflect changes in the contemporary media environment by enabling the Council to examine journalistic content published on digital platforms and social media, where such content constitutes a journalistic product and falls within the scope of the Code of Journalists of Macedonia.

By adopting these amendments, AJM continues to strengthen its system of professional self-regulation and reinforce the mechanisms for safeguarding ethical standards and professional integrity in journalism.

The full text of the revised Rules of Procedure is available at the following link.

The Council of Honour is AJM’s self-regulatory body responsible for promoting and safeguarding the ethical principles, professional standards and criteria set out in the Code of Journalists of Macedonia. Its primary role is to uphold responsible and ethical journalism and contribute to strengthening public trust in the journalistic profession.