Financial Police probes suspected dubious capital in media; AVMU suspends ownership change of one TV and one radio

The Financial Police has opened a case to examine allegations of a possible inflow of dubious capital into the media sector, and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AVMU) has suspended a procedure to change the ownership of one television and one radio station, the Financial Police said after the opposition party SDSM raised concerns about growing Serbian influence.

In an official reaction the Financial Police said: "In connection with the allegations raised by SDSM about an alleged inflow of suspicious capital and the purchase of a television, we inform the public that the Financial Police is processing a case and is examining all indications and information that were made public, and AVMU, on the basis of institutional actions, has halted the procedure to change the ownership structure of one television and one radio. The institutions, within their legal competencies, are undertaking the necessary actions to establish all relevant facts and circumstances. We appeal not to speculate and not to misinform the public with unverified and untrue information. The competent institutions are acting professionally and in accordance with the law, with the aim of protecting the public interest and the interests of citizens."

SDSM had asked for an investigation into what it described as "the entry of the Serbian media machinery into Macedonia." Bogdanka Kuzeska, SDSM's spokesperson, said that "through multiple media and business entities a space is opening for greater Serbian influence on the country's media sphere" and urged authorities to check whether ownership changes and the operations of foreign media companies complied with domestic rules.

Checks to include financial links and banking ties

In addition to media ownership, SDSM linked its suspicions to the presence of Serbian capital in the banking sector and asked investigators to verify the origin and flow of funds and any potential connections between financial and media investments. So far, institutions have not released details about what exactly the Financial Police case covers or which television and radio outlets are affected by AVMU's halted procedure.

Several national broadcasters and Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) have also accused Serbian media companies of circumventing Macedonian law via sports channels branded as "Arena M1", "M2" and "M3 Premium." Those broadcasters demand inquiries into possible unpaid licensing fees, TV piracy and AVMU's accountability, warning that the same model could be used for "Euronews Macedonia." They assert that "the Arena channels operate without a license, and the media agency tolerates that," and are calling for a probe into possible regulatory breaches.

Photo: MIA