President Stevo Pendarovski received today in “Vila Vodno” representatives of the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (ITUJMW).
The meeting discussed the situation with media freedoms in North Macedonia, the trade union organization, as well as the working conditions of journalists and media workers.
Issues that need to be regulated regarding the labor rights of journalists and media workers were discussed, as well as the provision of appropriate conditions for journalists to do their job freely, given that media freedoms still remain a challenge for which the involvement of all stakeholders is needed in order to find long-term solutions.
The representatives of ITUJMW informed President Pendarovski about the initiative they are working on together with other relevant media organizations to amend the provisions of the Criminal Code, in order for the attacks on journalists and media workers to be investigated ex officio.
President Pendarovski gave support to amendments to the Criminal Code that would allow the attacks on journalists and media workers to be treated as criminal offences that would be prosecuted ex officio.
The meeting also discussed the work of journalists and media workers in the conditions of COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of the media for reporting in times of pandemics and disasters. It was additionally emphasized that all institutions, organizations and companies that invite the media to their events need to respect the measures and recommendations for protection against COVID-19 and to provide appropriate conditions for the media to do their job.
