SDSM urges Trajchevski to explain role amid reports Vučić-linked media are entering North Macedonia

SDSM has publicly urged the director of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, Zoran Trajchevski, to disclose what steps the agency is preparing after the party warned of a risk that media outlets tied to Aleksandar Vučić could expand into North Macedonia.

The party said the potential takeover is being pursued with funding from the same centres that backed similar moves in Serbia, and singled out the "Alo Media" group for having signalled an intention to acquire ownership of "Nasha TV."

Questions for the regulator

SDSM demanded that Trajchevski inform the public about concrete measures the Agency will take to protect the media landscape and the country's democracy. The party asked directly: "What is his role? Is he aware of the change in ownership structure? How will he explain it when he knows about the complete ownership and connections of the companies entering North Macedonia? Does he know that this creates further concentration of political and foreign media influence?"

In its statement, SDSM framed the matter as more than a routine market transaction, arguing the moves risk increasing political and external influence over Macedonian media. The party called for transparency from the regulator and for safeguards to prevent concentration of ownership.

The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services is formally responsible for monitoring ownership changes and enforcing media-law provisions on pluralism; SDSM says that duty requires Trajchevski to speak publicly and outline the agency's interventions.

The party's warning follows reports that the "Alo Media" group is preparing to take control of "Nasha TV," a step SDSM describes as part of a wider operation to replicate in North Macedonia the media consolidation seen in neighbouring Serbia.

Photo: press material from the event