National Committee for Journalists’ Safety has 7 bodies, with the action plan due by December 15

At its session on October 27 the government adopted a decision to establish a National Committee for the Protection and Safety of Journalists, announced by spokesperson Marija Miteva. The committee is to monitor the safety of media workers, improve cooperation between institutions and the media community, and draft a national action plan. The story was carried by several outlets, among them 360 Stepeni, Netpress, Vecer, Zurnal, Makfax and Expres.

Who is on the committee? According to the list, it includes seven bodies: the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, Macedonian Radio-Television and the Association of Journalists of Macedonia. That is three ministries, one training body for the judiciary, one regulator, the public broadcaster and one journalists’ association.

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By when must it work? The action plan is due by December 15, 2026, which is 49 days, exactly seven weeks, after the decision.

What will the plan contain? The plan has four areas. Prevention covers media pluralism, institutional support and dialogue with the media. Protection covers rapid-response mechanisms, police and legal help and protection from threats in the digital space. Prosecution means timely handling of attacks and threats, with investigations and sanctions for perpetrators. Promotion and education cover training and public awareness.

What did Miteva say? She said journalists’ safety should not be raised only after an incident and that institutions must react quickly, recognise risks and provide protection. According to her, protection should focus on journalists who work in the field, investigate matters of public interest and report in complex circumstances, and it must be equal for all, regardless of the topic and of whether their questions and published information suit someone. She added that the government wants institutions to be open to the public and to respect freedom of expression.

What is the link with the Council of Europe? The committee will also support national implementation of the Council of Europe’s “Journalists Matter” campaign.

What is not stated? The reported information has no chair, no number of members from each body, no method of appointment, no funding and no legal basis for the committee. So for now the direction is clear, but not exactly how it will work.

What is the “Journalists Matter” campaign? It is a Council of Europe campaign on the safety of journalists, and according to the organisation’s page it includes joint efforts to advance media freedom in North Macedonia. The government’s decision means the national step is tied to a European framework, which may make it easier to compare the plan with international recommendations.

What can be checked after December 15. There are four questions by which the plan can be judged: whether every measure has a deadline, whether there is a responsible institution, whether funding is secured and whether journalists’ associations were consulted before the text was finished. The answers to those questions will say more than the formation of the body itself.

What comes next? The next verifiable step is the action plan on December 15. If it is published with deadlines and responsible institutions, it will be possible to judge whether the committee turns into concrete protection for journalists.

MKNews Hub · Macedonia · October 28, 2026