At the event 100 days of Government, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, in response to the questions of CIVIL MEDIA, asked for support from the media and civil society for establishing a European model for defence against hybrid attacks that destroy individuals, institutions and state strategies.
The government event at the occasion of the first 100 days of government “100 days with the citizens! Care. Responsibility. Security”, was addressed by Prime Minister of the RNM Zoran Zaev, First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Ljupco Nikolovski and Nikola Dimitrov, who then replied to questions from the media.
CIVIL MEDIA asked the following questions in regards to the hybrid threats, spreading of fake news and hate speech, that is, disinformation campaigns:
The issue of hybrid threats, especially disinformation campaigns, is something that is current around the world, and from the recent report published by the European Parliament, it is also relevant in our country, in North Macedonia. What will the Prime Minister and Government do in the next period to stand in the way of disinformation campaigns, which are raging, as we can see, and fake news and hate speech, as well as in regards to other forms of hybrid threats against democracy?
Prime Minister Zaev replied: “We have replied several times, we want to work together with you, the media workers and civil society on this issue, especially on what regards fake news, presence in the media, mainly electronic ones, written, mostly portals and so on… One issue is the state safety and security in the defence and security system, here according to the NATO standards and protocols, we already have a memorandum signed, we are working on the cyber security and I believe that very soon we will reach all the modern standards that NATO member states must have, for our security, but also for the security of the NATO member states, because we mutually guarantee that security.
In regards to what is being discussed, at least until now, I expect a bit bolder steps also from the Association of journalists, the media, because of the responsibility for spreading fake news, because, I will personally tell you, from what I receive as analyses and from what I read, follow and have informed myself, there definitely is much malicious spreading of fake news that can cause irreversible consequences.
It concerns media without impressum, media that are present on the air, and which despite that they destroy the honour, dignity of individuals, they destroy institutions, state strategies, spread hatred that for sure has reflections and certain obstacles to our national strategic goals in their realization. I ask for support and help from the media and media associations to work in this area, to establish a European model. To find what is best in Europe, in the democratic world, to implement it here, because it truly is a serious threat, both for society and for the freedom, and for the strategy and strategic determinations of the state, but also a serious threat for the individual in our country and our society”.
