Macedonian Government urged to guarantee journalists' access to public information

The Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers of Macedonia (SSNM) has voiced concern that the government is repeatedly refusing to answer journalists' questions and restricting access to information of public interest. The union noted that this practice was observed again at a recent event where a government public‑relations officer responded only selectively to reporters' inquiries.

SSNM stresses that the government is obligated to communicate transparently with the public, that silence should not be a policy, and that journalists' questions must not be left unanswered. It argues that the relevance of a question is not for communication officials to decide, but for journalists, media outlets, and the public. The union called for the immediate establishment of regular, open communication with the media, respect for professional standards, and full access to information guaranteed by the constitution.

Similar statements were issued in Macedonian and Albanian language outlets, reiterating the demand that the government’s PR service answer every legitimate journalistic query without judging its worthiness.