Undoubtedly, the role of the media is extremely important, it’s the necessary and crucial link in the process of European integration, Justice Minister Bojan Marichikj said in his opening remarks at Thursday’s panel on “The civil society and the media in the regional and European integration processes,” within the First International Conference as part of the Prespa Forum Dialogue.
“The role of the media is extremely important in breaking stereotypes. The media should be a kind of defense against hate speech, feeding stereotypes and spreading fake news. Freedom of the media, so they can properly fulfill their important role, is a regional issue. The role of NGOs in these processes is also important. I come from the civil society sector and I know very well the role of these organizations in building bridges between the countries in the region. They can be a catalyst in difficult political processes, which are often the case in our region,” said Marichikj.
In the case of the Prespa Agreement, Marichikj pointed out, civil society in both North Macedonia and Greece played an important role in terms of reaching the agreement. He stressed that the civil society organizations have built the bridges, preventing politicians from dominating the agenda. However, he added, this is not the case with Bulgaria.
“In the dispute with Bulgaria, the narrative is dominated by the politicians, whereas progressive media haven’t done their job. I hope this will change in the future and I urge civil society organizations and the media to contribute to building bridges between our country and Bulgaria,” the Justice Minister said.
Marichikj also mentioned fake news and disinformation, noting that the stereotypes that give rise to hate speech regarding regional ethnocentric issues are a fertile ground for fake news via online media.
“Therefore, I believe that strengthening media freedom will bring new quality both in terms of the European integration and in terms of regional cooperation,” Marichikj said, adding that the region should unite in the fight against stereotypes, disinformation and corruption.
German Minister of State for Europe also addressed the start of the Prespa Forum Dialogue conference via video message, pointing out that civil society should play an active role in domestic and regional processes, particularly in the process of European integration, and political and economic processes.
Roth stressed that bilateral issues, such as the current one with North Macedonia and Bulgaria, shouldn’t be an obstacle to the integration process.
“I sincerely regret that the EU Council didn’t make a decision to start negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania due to the position of one country,” he said.
Roth underlined that without an energetic civil society there can be no functioning democracy, adding that civil society activism has a major role in dealing with the remnants of the past.
The German Minister noted that North Macedonia has devoted considerable effort to create a multiethnic society 20 years after the Ohrid Framework Agreement. He pointed out that maintaining these values requires free and independent media, while impartial reporting is the best way to combat internal and external disinformation.
Florian Bieber, professor at the University of Graz, Austria, and political scientist, and Greek professor Ioannis Armakolas said the EU hasn’t fulfilled its promise to the countries in the region.
“There’s lack of focus on technicalities. Law enforcement and commitment policies are required, and we can see that in some countries there is commitment. But member states need to point out more clearly to the countries in the region the problems they need to work on,” Bieber said.
He highlighted the importance of civil society in the process of European integration, pointing out that the authorities mustn’t attack the civil society sector.
“A country that wants to become a member and meets the legal requirements, but has a critical attitude towards the media and civil society, cannot do that,” Bieber said.
Professor Ioannis Armakolas stressed that Greece is a strong supporter of the Western Balkans’ accession to the EU, but it was ambiguous in that regard, he noted, because at the same time it had blocked North Macedonia.
“Greece is now able to push harder for the region’s integration into the Union, because we have resolved the name dispute. Despite problems regarding the implementation of the agreement, I believe that the Prespa Agreement will remain, and this partnership will survive,” Armakolas added.
The international conference “Western Balkans: The missing puzzle for completing Europe” is taking place on Thursday and Friday in Ohrid and Otheshevo. Around 300 participants, regional leaders and top European and U.S. officials, including prime ministers, presidents, ministers, secretaries-general of international organizations, MEPs, and representatives of the civil society sector are set to take part. Over a hundred domestic and foreign reporters are accredited to cover the event.
