North Macedonia
36
The RSF index annually assesses press freedom worldwide by analyzing pluralism, media independence, and pressure on journalists. In 2024, North Macedonia ranked 36th out of 180 countries and is among the countries in a relatively good situation. It is the best-performing Balkan country.
22
IREX Vibrant Barometer
The Vibrant Information Barometer analyzes the production, dissemination, consumption, and use of information. In 2024, North Macedonia is classified in the “Fairly Vibrant” category (21-30) : the country has high -quality, relatively independent information that is accessible to the majority.
39
Media Education
The 2023 Media Literacy Index ranks countries based on their resilience to post-truth, disinformation, and misinformation. North Macedonia is ranked among the countries most vulnerable to disinformation , the lowest group in the ranking.
88
Perception of corruption
The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories worldwide based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption, scoring them on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). In 2024, North Macedonia scored 40/100 (–2 compared to 2023
A polarized media landscape
In North Macedonia, television remains the primary source of information, although online media are gaining influence. The country has made notable progress in press freedom, but remains marked by high levels of polarization and political interference. There is a significant gap between the popularity of television channels and their low reliability
High media concentration
Although journalists are not in a hostile environment, misinformation and unprofessionalism are eroding public trust. Despite some improvements, obstacles persist: a lack of transparency, pressure on journalists, and disinformation for political purposes. The public broadcaster lacks editorial and financial independence, and parallel media systems are created and controlled by the ruling parties.
Challenges in the face of online disinformation
Social media and the digital world are amplifying the spread of disinformation and cyberthreats. These phenomena, combined with sometimes inadequate professional standards, are contributing to the erosion of public trust in the media. At the same time, journalists are facing increasingly frequent attacks, often based on gender, ethnicity, or religion.
fact-checking sites in North Macedonia
Metamorphosis Foundation
An organization dedicated to promoting democracy and prosperity by strengthening civil society, with a particular focus on human rights, transparency, and media literacy. It operates several media outlets, including the country’s first fact-checking service.
Truthmeter ( Vistinomer )
A Metamorphosis Foundation project, Truthmeter is dedicated to fact-checking and debunking misinformation in the media and public discourse.
Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL)
A media outlet focused on investigative journalism, covering topics such as corruption and governance, with efforts to counter disinformation.
Vidi Vaka
A platform dedicated to in-depth journalism, offering fair and consistent content, including videos and multimedia, aimed at informing the digital generation.
