Following the decision to ban the airing of Russian TV stations in Macedonia, Republika asked the Government if it intends to do the same for the Bulgarian channels. Bulgaria pushed to demand the airing of its channels in Macedonia last year, and they now continue to broadcast propaganda that undermines the Macedonian national identity and history.

The response to our question was that they consider this issue a matter of media freedoms and the media market.

Cable operators are the ones who decide what channel they will air, said the Government.

Bulgaria ensured that its BNT4 channel is aired in Macedonia, on several cable operators. The channel is very active in promoting the Bulgarian historic narrative. On the other hand, there is no reciprocity – Bulgarian operators do not air the Macedonian MRTV national television.

The Government said that it considers the matter resolved with the fact that MRTV broadcasts on satellites and Bulgarian operators can carry it. “In the spirit of improved cooperation with Bulgaria, what we can do as a Government is to strive to entice operators to carry the programs, and that the programs are free from hate speech and promote cooperation and good neighborly relations”, the Government said.