The European Commission has raised concerns over deteriorating working conditions for journalists in North Macedonia, warning that the country has made no progress in the area of freedom of expression.
According to the European Commission’s 2026 Progress Report, the number of defamation and insult lawsuits involving journalists increased from 15 in 2024 to 40 in 2025.
Brussels warned that judicial pressure, threats, political interference and financial insecurity continue to undermine media independence in the country.
The report also highlights difficult working conditions for media professionals, revealing that approximately half of journalists earn salaries below the national average, while overtime work frequently goes unpaid.
The European Commission also expressed concern over the financing of media outlets through government advertising, warning that such practices could create opportunities for political influence over editorial policies.
In addition, 244 complaints concerning media content were registered in 2025, most of them involving online news portals.
The EU has called for stronger protections for journalists, greater transparency in media financing and effective safeguards to ensure that media outlets remain independent of political influence.
