On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day (May 3), the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) said political influence on media, financial dependence, and economic position were the key factors impacting media freedom both domestically and in the rest of the world.
The Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers pointed out that media freedom depended on financial freedom and on the safety of media workers and journalists. The Macedonian Association of Journalists (MAJ) said it was calling on all professional media to continue the path of the truth.
“For decades, we have witnessed violence, pressures, blackmails from SDSM, which, with its installations in the judicial system, conducts a political persecution towards all professional and independent media”, it noted.
MAJ ironically added that it was extending congratulations to citizens on the occasion of “every day of the year” that saw no pressures from the party.
SDSM reacted, saying it was about a classic partisan press release issued by an organization under full control by VMRO-DPMNE and “Orban’s media network”.
Stressing that MAJ was headed by Ivona Talevska, SDSM said the Alfa editor was part of Orban’s “media empire in Macedonia”.