Today (22 September 2026), a thematic interprofessional workshop dedicated to the protection and safety of journalists was held, bringing together representatives of relevant institutions, journalists’ and professional organizations, and civil society.
At the opening, the Assistant Minister for Public Relations at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Muhamed Ismaili, addressed the participants, stressing that the safety of journalists requires a coordinated approach and joint action by all relevant stakeholders.
“When a journalist is threatened because of their professional work, the institutional response must be timely, professional and impartial. The safety of journalists is not an issue that can be addressed by a single institution alone; it requires coordination, timely exchange of information and clearly defined responsibilities,” Ismaili said.
He noted that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is taking concrete steps to improve the system for protecting journalists, including the establishment of national and local focal points, aimed at facilitating communication and enabling a faster response in cases related to journalists’ safety.
The need to establish the National Committee for the Protection of Journalists as soon as possible was also emphasized, as a mechanism for interinstitutional coordination, as well as the importance of preparing and implementing the National Action Plan for the Protection and Safety of Journalists.
Oleg Soldatov, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje, also addressed the workshop, stressing that journalists should be able to carry out their profession freely and safely, without fear of threats, violence, intimidation or harassment.
“When the safety of journalists is threatened, the consequences also affect citizens’ right to be informed and to participate in democratic life,” Soldatov said, adding that the National Action Plan should be a practical and applicable mechanism that responds to the real challenges faced by journalists.
The workshop highlighted that, in addition to physical threats and attacks, attention must also be paid to online harassment, threats made through social media, the publication of personal data, digital attacks, as well as the safety of journalistic crews during protests and other high-risk events.
The workshop provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and hold an open discussion on the challenges, with the aim of improving the institutional response and defining practical measures for the prevention and protection of journalists.
