The Development of a New Code of Ethics for Journalists and Media in North Macedonia Has Begun

At the initiative of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM), the Council of Media Ethics of Macedonia (CMEM), and the Macedonian Institute for Media (MIM), a consultation process has commenced for drafting a new Code of Ethics for journalists and media professionals. This new code will replace the existing version from 2001 to reflect the contemporary challenges and needs of the journalistic and media community.

Two key documents have been prepared to support the process, providing an analytical foundation and guidance for modernizing ethical standards in journalism.

The first document, titled “A Comprehensive Review of Current Ethical Practices in Journalism,” analyzes existing challenges and key weaknesses in the current code, particularly in addressing disinformation, hate speech, and the use of artificial intelligence. It offers recommendations to enhance transparency, introduce guidelines for reporting on vulnerable groups, and strengthen standards for fact-checking. The document is available in Macedonian (link) and Albanian (link).

The second document, titled “From Global Experiences to Local Standards: Ethical Challenges and Solutions in Journalism,” provides a comparative analysis of global ethical practices and the challenges faced by media self-regulatory bodies in European countries. Drawing on the experiences of ethical councils from various European nations, the publication highlights challenges, proposes solutions, and offers guidance for improving editorial independence, transparency in funding, and addressing manipulative media practices. Special attention is given to ethical dilemmas related to the use of new technologies and algorithms, as well as the need to protect minors in media content. This document is available at the following (link).

Open Consultations for an Inclusive and Representative Code

The consultations remain open to all media professionals to ensure the creation of a code that is representative of all segments of society. The process, which began in the second half of 2024, will continue through the spring of the following year, inviting active participation from all stakeholders and individuals willing to contribute to the development of a high-quality code that addresses modern challenges and strengthens public trust in the media.

The first draft of the new Code of Ethics will also be published, allowing interested parties to provide comments and feedback.

Part of a Broader Media Literacy Initiative

The development of the new Code of Ethics is part of USAID’s media literacy initiative “Youth Think,” implemented by IREX in partnership with the Macedonian Institute for Media (MIM), the Institute for Communication Studies (ICS), and the Youth Educational Forum (YEF), in collaboration with the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM).