North Macedonia investigates suspicious capital in media sector

The Financial Police Directorate in North Macedonia has opened an investigation into allegations of suspicious capital entering the national media market. This follows public claims by the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) regarding the potential acquisition of local media outlets by Serbian groups, specifically mentioning Euronews and the Alo media group.

In response to these concerns, the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) has halted the procedure for changing the ownership structure of a television station and a radio station, identified in reports as Nascha TV and Radio RFM. The investigation aims to determine the origin of the capital and whether legal procedures are being bypassed.

SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzheska has accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski of facilitating a model of media and political influence similar to that seen in Serbia. The opposition has also linked these developments to the entry of Alta Bank into the Macedonian banking sector, alleging that state funds could be used to finance this media influence. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation proceeds.