Gender equality is a prerequisite for achieving’ human rights, democracy, and social justice, benefiting the society as a whole. On the other hand, media freedom and gender equality can reinforce one another. Having this in mind, an important goal of the EU and Council of Europe joint action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in North Macedonia (PRO-FREX)” is to strengthen the media’s capacity to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and advance gender equality. In this “16 Days of Activism against gender based violence” campaign we want to highlight the critical link between media freedom, the Istanbul Convention, and the protection of women journalists.

Rasing capacities on gender-sensitive media

As the media has an important role to shape public opinion and challenge or reinforce harmful stereotypes, PRO-FREX, in collaboration with the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, has conducted a series of workshops to enhance gender-sensitive reporting for local and regional journalists. They learned on GBV responsible reporting while fostering empathy and avoiding sensationalism in their work. The discussion focused on principles of the European Convention on Human Rights that prohibit all forms of discrimination, highlighting the media’s role in holding institutions accountable and supporting victims. The risks women journalists face when reporting on sensitive topics was also an important focus during these exchanges with journalists.

These efforts reflect broader Council of Europe initiatives, including Recommendation CM/Rec(2013)1 on Gender Equality and Media and guidance on combating sexist stereotypes and promoting gender-sensitive indicators in media coverage.

More details on reporting and monitoring the application of corresponding standards can be found in the “Guidelines of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services on monitoring of the application of reporting standards in gender-based violence cases in the media”, available in Macedonian and English.

Integrating gender into judicial and legal training

PRO-FREX has also worked with beneficiaries and partners in the process of integrating gender perspectives into training for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. The Handbook for Trainers on Freedom of Expression now includes modules on gender-sensitive approaches, ensuring legal professionals understand how media reporting intersects with the protection of women victims. In collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs Training Centre, targeted training sessions improved police skills in victim-centred and gender-sensitive investigation of threats against journalists, which also highlighted the achievements of the Council of Europe’s “Journalists Matter” campaign, showcasing ongoing efforts to raise awareness and implement practical measures to enhance journalist safety.

Supporting journalist ethics and protection

PRO-FREX, in collaboration with HERA, also held a targeted workshop on journalism ethics and protection, focusing on the challenges faced by journalists—particularly women—covering GBV, human rights, and corruption. The workshop highlighted the growing risks posed by online harassment, hate speech, and SLAPP lawsuits, reflecting concerns raised in Council of Europe reports on online violence against women journalists.

Raising awareness and looking ahead: 16 Days of Activism

As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign approaches, PRO-FREX continues to support initiatives that raise awareness and promote action against GBV. The PROFREX action aligns with the Council of Europe’s long-standing work to:

• Ensure equal access to media work and leadership positions for all genders;
• Combat gender stereotypes in media and advertising;
• Encourage media pluralism, self-regulation, and best practices in reporting on gender issues;
• Protect women journalists from harassment and threats.

Through these initiatives, the PRO-FREX action in North Macedonia contributes to a safer and more equitable media landscape in North Macedonia, reflecting the Council of Europe’s vision that media freedom and gender equality are mutually reinforcing pillars of democracy.

The action’s impact is also strengthened through close collaboration with the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and the Association of Journalists Macedonia (AJM).

The “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in North Macedonia (PRO-FREX)” action is implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe and EU joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” by the Council of Europe Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression.