Kultura (Skopje) (Sep 2014)
The Impact of the New Media Laws on the Freedom of Expression in Macedonia
Abstract
After a long and tiring process of political bargaining, public debates and negotiations, the Law on Media, and the Law on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services were passed in Parliament. Media experts, media organizations and critical media in Macedonia, insist that new regulations will further diminish freedom of media and freedom of expression in Macedonia. The main goal of the paper will be to measure the effects of the new laws, after six months of their introduction in the legal system. The activities of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and the Macedonian Radio and Television will be closely followed, mostly by examination of the minutes of their meetings, participation on meetings and depicting effects of their ruling. The ultimate goal will be to propose future recommendations for enhancement of the media sphere, and most precisely, the freedom of media and freedom of expression, in Macedonia.
