There has been a long and promising debate about the situation in the media in North Macedonia after the fall of the regime in 2017, about media legislation, media pluralism and diversity that should reflect the transformation of media and media policies. However, very little has been done so far, especially in relation to Macedonian Radio Television (as a public broadcasting enterprise), in media policy etc.
According to the State Statistical Office (No. 2.1.20.19), in 2019 there were 107 business entities performing broadcasting activities in the Republic of Macedonia, of which 62 transmitted radio programmes and 43 transmitted television programmes. Of the total number of business entities that transmitted radio programmes, one is a public broadcasting enterprise (Macedonian Radio Television), 57 are commercial broadcasting companies, and 4 are non-profit broadcasting institutions. According to the data, the public radio broadcasting enterprise broadcast a total of 38 015 hours of radio programmes, of which most, or 58.4 %, was music programmes. The commercial radio broadcasting companies broadcast a total of 499 320 hours of radio programmes, of which most, or 63.0%, was also music programmes. Of the total number of business entities that transmitted television programmes, one is a public broadcasting enterprise and 42 are commercial broadcasting companies. The public television broadcasting enterprise broadcast a total of 23 941 hours of television programmes, of which most, or 27.2%, was documentary and educational programmes. The commercial television broadcasting companies broadcast a total of 357 684 hours of television programmes, of which most, or 23.2%, was fixture programmes.
Macedonian Radio and Television as a public broadcasting service broadcasts TV programmes in seven languages (Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Roma, Serb, Bosnian and Vlach) and radio programmes in nine languages (Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Roma, Serb, Bosnian, Vlach, Greek and Bulgarian). According to the Law on Audio and Audio-visual Media Services the share of domestic versus imported programs for business entities is 50:50% and for Macedonian Television is 60:40%.
The Public Broadcasting Service tax was 190 MKD (around 3.1 EUR). It was cancelled by Government decision in 2017. Since then, the Government finances Public Broadcasting Service.
By the adoption of the Law on Audio and Audio-visual Media Services, the Broadcasting Council was transformed into the Agency for Audio and Audio-visual Media Services. The main bodies of the Agency are the Council and the Director of the Agency. The Council consists of seven members, who elect the President and Deputy President among the members. The members of the Council are appointed by the Parliament.
The Ministry of Culture has no responsibility over the media.
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