Support to developing inclusive media policies in Macedonia
UK values freedom of speech and shares lessons learned with its international partners.
Ambassador Garrett speaking about the importance of freedom of expression.
The importance of freedom of expression and responsibility in upholding this human right was at the centre of the debate organised as the closing event to a support project that the British Embassy has been running with the Association of Journalists in Macedonia. The year-long project involved consultative processes among journalists and judiciary on the issues of defamation which resulted in a manual to help journalists in their reporting. Our ambassador Charles Garrett joined a panel with Kostadin Bogdanov, the Government agent for representation at the European Court of Human Rights, Naser Selmani, President of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia and Sasho Dimovski, long-time correspondent on issues of judiciary.
Ambassador Garrett said:
Freedom of expression is among the basic human rights and strong and stable media are at the foundation of a healthy democratic society. Enjoying the right of free expression comes with responsibility and should not come at the expense of jeopardising the rights of somebody else. This responsibility rests with all of us. The UK doesn’t hold the key to all problems. But we do have a long history of debate and reforms, and have learned many lessons that we are happy to share.
The project ‘Inclusive media policies’ was implemented in the period of March 2014 - March 2015 by the Association of Journalists of Macedonia with the support of the British Embassy in Macedonia, within the programme assistance for strengthening diversity and multiculturalism in the country.
British Embassy Programme Assistance
Connect with us on Facebook or follow us @ukinmacedonia
Connect with the British Ambassador on Facebook or @BritAmbCGarrett
Read our blog UK in Macedonia