OSCE Mission to Skopje supports conference on freedom of expression and broadcasting regulatory bodies

SKOPJE, 2 October 2007 - The future of the media and telecom regulatory bodies, and protecting the freedom of expression are among the topics being discussed at an international conference that ends in Skopje today.

The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the Council of Europe, brought together over 60 media experts and government representatives.

"The technological trend of media convergence is pushing the governments and the media and telecom regulators to improve the media legislation in order to ensure freedom of expression and content diversity in the new media environment," said Ambassador Giorgio Radicati, the Head of the OSCE Mission.

"The digital era that is ushering in what people are calling "media convergence" brings many new platforms for expression that can lead to ever greater freedom and pluralism."

The Minister for Transport and Communications, Mile Janakieski, added: "I am proud that after 16 years of independence our country has developed a strategy for electronic media development and promotion of information society. We are actively working in order to implement these goals."