Proposed changes to Macedonia's media law criticized

VIENNA The South East Europe Media Organiation (SEEMO) says it is worried about proposed changes to media law in the Republic of Macedonia/FYROM. The Ministry of Transport and the Communication in Skopje have presented two draft laws that would provide a new legal framework for media regulation in the country: a new Media Law and a new Audio and Audiovisual Law. Proposed changes to Macedonia's media law criticized The proposed laws proceeded to a second reading this week before the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Communications and Environment of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia / FYROM, which is continuing to debate them, SEEMO, an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), said in a statement. SEEMO noted that it supported an initiative by the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM-ZNM) calling on Parliament to delay any enforcement of the laws so that concerns about their possible misuse could be eliminated. SEEMO identified a number of problematic elements, including amendments giving the proposed new Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services authority and competence over print and online media. The proposals also replace any possible system of self-regulation and create a new regulatory body, with most of its members appointed by state institutions, that would have the right to revoke broadcasting licenses and to invoke fines based on unclearly-defined “citizens’ interests”. An amendment to the Law on Audiovisual Media Services would introduce new subsidies for broadcasters from the stage budget, which would place them even further under political control. The laws also would not guarantee the independence of the director of the Agency of Audio and Audiovisual Media. SEEMO indicated that apart from addressing these concerns – which were generally shared in strong criticism levied by Macedonian journalists, foreign diplomats in Skopje and international media experts and organisations – it did not see a need to make further changes to the draft laws. "“I am concerned that these laws could be used to silence critical reports in media”," SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said. “The officials in Skopje should present laws that fully comply with international standards, which is not the case with these two drafts.” SEEMO

Proposed changes to Macedonia's media law criticized

The proposed laws proceeded to a second reading this week before the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Communications and Environment of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia / FYROM, which is continuing to debate them, SEEMO, an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), said in a statement.

SEEMO noted that it supported an initiative by the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM-ZNM) calling on Parliament to delay any enforcement of the laws so that concerns about their possible misuse could be eliminated.

SEEMO identified a number of problematic elements, including amendments giving the proposed new Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services authority and competence over print and online media. The proposals also replace any possible system of self-regulation and create a new regulatory body, with most of its members appointed by state institutions, that would have the right to revoke broadcasting licenses and to invoke fines based on unclearly-defined “citizens’ interests”.

An amendment to the Law on Audiovisual Media Services would introduce new subsidies for broadcasters from the stage budget, which would place them even further under political control. The laws also would not guarantee the independence of the director of the Agency of Audio and Audiovisual Media.

SEEMO indicated that apart from addressing these concerns – which were generally shared in strong criticism levied by Macedonian journalists, foreign diplomats in Skopje and international media experts and organisations – it did not see a need to make further changes to the draft laws.

"“I am concerned that these laws could be used to silence critical reports in media”," SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujović said. “The officials in Skopje should present laws that fully comply with international standards, which is not the case with these two drafts.”