Skopje, 22 January 2026 – The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services expresses serious concern over the continued labeling and public attacks by the political party of SDSM directed at individual journalists and media outlets.
The Agency recalls that freedom of expression, media pluralism, and editorial independence are fundamental democratic values. Public communication—especially when it comes from political actors—must be responsible and must respect the role and autonomy of the media. Public discrediting or labeling of journalists and media creates an atmosphere of pressure, undermines public dialogue, and may directly affect the safety and professional integrity of journalists.
The media must not be treated as political adversaries, nor should they be drawn into party or political confrontations. On the contrary, they should be able to perform their professional role freely, independently, and without pressure, in the interest of the public and the democratic processes.
The Agency calls on all political actors to refrain from rhetoric that contributes to polarization, pressure, or the discrediting of the media and journalists, and to respect the latter’s constitutional and professional role in a democratic society.