EC: Concrete Reforms Needed to Align with European Standards on Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists

The 2025 Annual Report of the European Commission once again highlights the need for substantial progress in the areas of media freedom, independence of regulatory bodies, and the safety of journalists.

Despite the limited progress observed, the European Commission notes that the legislative framework for media is still not fully aligned with EU legislation, particularly with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) reminds that alignment with the EMFA is essential to ensure transparency of media ownership, independence of regulatory authorities, and clear rules for the allocation of state funding and advertising in the media.

The Commission also points to ongoing challenges in the protection of journalists, including physical attacks, threats, and online harassment, especially against investigative journalists. The report stresses that state institutions must respond more effectively to such cases to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and to strengthen public trust in institutional protection mechanisms.

The Commission emphasizes the need for the adoption of anti-SLAPP legislation and for raising awareness among judges and prosecutors about this phenomenon. AJM has long advocated for the implementation of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, which would provide greater legal protection for journalists and media outlets from abusive lawsuits.

The European Commission also calls for strengthening the independence and capacity of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AAAMS) and for reforming the public broadcaster MRT, in order to enhance institutional autonomy, professional standards, and transparency.

Competent institutions need to intensify reforms and advance the implementation of European media legislation, including the EMFA, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), and Anti-SLAPP recommendations.

Only through these measures can the country create conditions for genuine media independence, a safe working environment, and greater institutional accountability toward freedom of expression – as a fundamental part of European values.

Once again, the European Commission’s report refers to the findings and statistics of AJM’s Annual Report on Media Freedom and the Safety of Journalists, which is publicly available at the following link.