Macedonia local news media

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.

Macedonian public television operates three national channels and a satellite network. There are five privately-owned TV channels broadcasting nationally using terrestrial transmitters and about 15 broadcasting nationally via satellite. Additionally, there are roughly 75 local commercial TV stations broadcasting as well as a large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming. Macedonian public radio operates over multiple stations, and there are three privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationally. Also, about 70 local commercial radio stations are in operation.

Macedonia has 11 daily newspapers, 2 in Albanian and 1 in Turkish. The most popular dailies are Dnevnik, Utrinski Vesnik, Vest, Nova Makedonija, Makedonija Denes, SportFakti, and Flaka. The independent Dnevnik is considered to be the most influential newspaper, and Nova Makedonija has traditionally been the voice of the government. Of the numerous local and regional papers in publication, 51 are published in the Albanian language, six are published in Turkish, four in Vlachian, three in Romany, two in Bosnian, and five are published in English.