Macedonian Journalists Stage “Uprising”

Prominent local journalists and public figures attended the rally, dubbed a “Journalist’s Uprising”, which took place at midday in Skopje’s central square on September 8.

“We are sending a message to the [political] parties, the government, the centres of power and our bosses that we have had enough. It is time we unite and secure our social and professional independence,” said journalist Saska Cvetkovska, one of the organisers.

Complaints from Macedonian journalists include censorship, self censorship, poor salaries, shorter vacations, lack of insurance and unpaid overtime.

The initiative for the “uprising” started last month after the controversial sacking of eight staffers from the television station Kanal 5, which touched a nerve among many working in the media. The station insisted it had fired the reporters for financial reasons.

Some of the fired journalists openly accused the government of being behind the dismissals as well as practicing censorship, influencing editorial policies and commissioning stories.  

The centre right VMRO DPMNE government denied the allegations.