Michalis Rokas, the EU ambassador to Macedonia, was asked today about the pressure exerted by SDSM on journalists and media outlets. The ambassador replied that he is aware of the situation and noted that media freedom is an important issue in Macedonia’s European integration process.

Work remains to be done in this area. The country needs to revise its legal framework regarding the media to align it with EU standards and legislation, and to introduce rules ensuring full transparency of media ownership. There are tasks that need to be completed, and it is clear that the media situation deserves our attention. “We are monitoring everything closely and offering all possible advice,” said the EU Ambassador.

SDSM has made it a part of their political program to call out media outlets, threaten them with being shut down and accusing them of political bias.