Initiative for Media Pluralism Fund and Improvement of Legal Framework – AJM and EFJ Meet with Gashi

Representatives of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM), President Mladen Chadikovski and Executive Director Dragan Sekulovski, along with the General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Ricardo Gutiérrez, met with the President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Afrim Gashi.

The meeting discussed the current state of the media landscape in the country and the importance of further advancing media freedom and journalists’ independence. Gutiérrez emphasized the need for further improvement of the media legal framework in accordance with European criteria. AJM representatives also stressed the need for a professional approach in selecting members of the Council of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AVMU), an ongoing process, and the necessity of having a representative from the journalistic community in this important body. They appealed for consideration of candidates’ professionalism and independence criteria during the selection process.

The importance of “soft” regulation of online media was highlighted, aiming to protect journalistic standards and ownership structure transparency. Additionally, President Gashi was informed about AJM’s initiative to establish a Media Pluralism Fund to support journalistic products, a process that will enable higher-quality media content of public interest.

The President of the Assembly, Afrim Gashi, reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and openness of the legislative branch towards the media and the public, aiming to establish better communication between institutions and citizens.

This meeting represents a significant step towards advancing media freedoms and strengthening democratic standards in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Photo: Assembly of RNM