Media constitutes an important actor for the development of a democratic society and its role becomes more fundamental especially at the time of elections. In this context, as the elections are approaching in North Macedonia, the Action on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in North Macedonia (JUFREX) – translated to Macedonian language the Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)/15 of the Committee of Ministers to the member states on the measures for media coverage of election campaigns and is now available online for downloading.

This Recommendation aims at ensuring fair, balanced and impartial reporting of election campaigns, without discriminating or supporting any particular political campaign or candidate. The principles of this recommendation apply to all types of political elections taking place in member states, including presidential, legislative, regional and, where practicable, local elections and referenda.

This Recommendation of Committee of Ministers on media coverage of election campaigns was also referred in the “Guide on ethical media coverage of elections in North Macedonia”, a document recently produced to help and guide journalists, media outlets, other media professionals and broadcasters on reporting during the election campaigns. This guide was prepared by a JUFREX partner – the Association of Journalists of Macedonia and is available on their website in English, Macedonian and Albanian language.

The Action on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in North Macedonia JUFREX is part of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey II”, a co-operation initiative co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe, that enables the Beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, including where relevant within the framework of the EU enlargement process.