North Macedonia is ranked 38th out of 180 countries in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, based on a report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), climbing 19 spots compared to its ranking in 2022.
The country is also ranked the highest among the Western Balkan countries, ahead of Montenegro (39), Croatia (42), Kosovo (56), Bosnia and Herzegovina (64), Serbia (91) and Albania (96).
In its report on the country’s press environment, RSF said that although journalists do not work in a hostile environment, widespread misinformation and lack of professionalism contribute to society’s declining trust in the media, which exposes independent outlets to threats and attacks. Furthermore, government officials tend to have poor and demeaning attitudes towards journalists.
