New Draft-Code of Macedonian Journalists open for comments

Dear journalists, media workers and stakeholders in the media sector,

Below, we share the draft text of the new Code of Journalists which consists of eighteen articles. We invite you to share your comments and feedback, which would constitute a significant contribution aimed at improving the current draft.

LINK TO THE CODE

You can send your comments to the e-mail: contact@znm.org.mk by 18 May, with the note “COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK ON THE CODE”. The drafting process is still under way, with additional consultations planned prior to the final harmonisation of the text of the Code.

A meeting with be held at Europe House on 11 May, where it will also be possible to make suggestions regarding the draft text of the Code.

The amendments to the Code of Journalists were implemented in an inclusive and multi-phased process, with the aim of advancing the ethical standards in journalism, but also in order to align it with contemporary media challenges. The amendments cover two parts: a revision of the existing provisions and the introduction of new rules that correspond to the digital age and the new forms of reporting.

Amendments were made to the Preamble, and corrections were made to Articles 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 17, with the aim of clarifying and strengthening the professional and ethical standards. In addition, amendments were made to the final provisions.

Moreover, three new articles have also been introduced, relating to the use of artificial intelligence tools in journalism, covert data collection and in relation to reporting on cases of suicide and attempted suicide.

In the current draft version, the Code of Ethics has eighteen articles.

The amendments to the Code were preceded by consultations with the community of journalists, i.e. several workshops and meetings were held with journalists, editors and media workers from different parts of the country, during which practical suggestions and experiences were collected.

As part of the analytical support to the reform, two important documents were developed on the current ethical challenges and offer guidelines aimed at modernising the standards in journalism. They focus on dealing with misinformation, hate speech, protection of vulnerable groups, fact-checking and the impact of new technologies on the journalistic profession.

The process is expected to result in a clear, understandable and applicable Code that will help journalists in their daily work and that will help strengthen professionalism and ethical reporting, deal with digital challenges and new technologies, as well as increase public trust in the media through better quality and verified information.

The working group, composed of representatives of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia, the Macedonian Media Institute and the Media Ethics Council, held meetings at which examples from other codes of ethics in the region and Europe were reviewed.

The development began in July 2024, and the new code is expected to be promoted in the second half of 2026.