National Safety Mechanisms - North Macedonia
National Safety Context
According to UNESCO's Observatory of Killed Journalists there have been no recorded deaths in North Macedonia since 1993.
There are 6 national safety mechanisms being implemented in North Macedonia to prevent, protect and prosecute crimes committed against journalists. More information on these initiatives is summarised below including relevant links.
Working Group on the Safety of Journalists
The Working Group on the Safety of Journalists has been active since 2017.
What activities are carried out?
The Working Group works to prevent violence against journalists through the production of trainig materials and providing multistakeholder policy advice on national safety risks. A multistakeholder group both produced a ‘Manual for the safety of journalists during high-risk events’, and a ‘Protocol for the Online Safety Journalists’.
The Protocol for Online Safety highlights prevention measures for women journalists.
The Ministry of the Interior appointed a contact person at the Department of Cybercrime and Digital Forensics to support the reporting of online threats by journalists, civil society organisations and journalist unions, like the Association of Journalists of Macedonia.
How is it implemented? / Who are the stakeholders?
The Working Group was established with a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior and the Association of Journalists of Macedonia. The OSCE Mission in Skopje also assists in the implementation of some activities.
Online Form for Assistance to Journalists Under Threats or Attacks
The Online Form for Assistance to Journalists under Threats or Attacks has been active since 2018.
What activities are carried out?
The Online Form is accessible 24/7, allowing journalists to receive support and advice in cases of blackmail, threats, and physical and online attacks.
How is it implemented? / Who are the stakeholders?
The Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) is the main implementing authority responsible for actively maintaining the hotline and for reporting submissions to relevant stakeholders in order to enhance cooperation, specifically with the Cybercrime Department of the Ministry of the Interior. The OSCE Mission to Skopje assisted in the establishment of the mechanism.
Special Prosecutor on Attacks Against Journalists
The Special Prosecutor on Attacks Against Journalists has been active since 2022.
What activities are carried out?
The Special Prosecutor broadly monitors the proceedings in cases of attacks against journalists, both physical and online. The Special Prosecutor has the authority to monitor proceedings in which journalists appear as injured parties, witnesses or reported persons while performing their work.
The office of the Special Prosecutor has a direct line of contact with civil society organisations, specifically the Association of Journalists of Macedonia.
How is it implemented?
The Special Prosecutor exercises his/her mandate at the national level.
Who are the stakeholders?
The Special Prosecutor is located in the Basic Public Prosecutor’s office and ensures cooperation with local civil society organisations, like the Association of Journalists of Macedonia.
Special Prosecutor (Tetovo)
The Special Prosecutor for Attacks on Journalists were established in 2023.
What activities are carried out?
The Special Prosecutor works in close contact with the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje and exercises his/her mandate at the regional level in Tetovo.
How is it implemented? / Who are the stakeholders?
The Special Prosecutor is institutionally located in the Basic Public Prosecutor’s office and ensures cooperation with local civil society organisations.
Special Prosecutor (Bitola)
The Special Prosecutor for Attacks on Journalists were established in 2023.
What activities are carried out?
The Special Prosecutor works in close contact with the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje and exercises his/her mandate at the regional level in Bitola.
How is it implemented? / Who are the stakeholders?
The Special Prosecutor is institutionally located in the Basic Public Prosecutor’s office and ensures cooperation with local civil society organisations.
Special Prosecutor (Shtip)
The Special Prosecutor for Attacks on Journalists were established in 2023.
What activities are carried out?
The Special Prosecutor works in close contact with the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje and exercises his/her mandate at the regional level in Shtip.
How is it implemented? / Who are the stakeholders?
The Special Prosecutor is institutionally located in the Basic Public Prosecutor’s office and ensures cooperation with local civil society organisations.
For more specific information on the national safety mechanisms in North Macedonia and those in other countries please follow the links in order of appearance.
