The constitution guarantees freedom of speech and access to information. State television, which has three national channels, is seeing increasing competition from private networks. Licences were granted to private TV stations in May 1998.

However, the broadcast media scene is still inadequately regulated with around 240 pirate radio and TV stations in the country.

Following privatization, the leading newspaper publisher is still partially government-owned and controls one of the country's modern printing works as well as many newspaper kiosks.

In 2000 the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is active in conflict prevention and post-conflict rehabilitation in Europe, criticised state TV for favouring the centre-right government and its coalition parties during election coverage.

Some journalists reacted to the 2001 armed clashes between government forces and ethnic Albanian guerrillas by using what Radio Free Europe described as less-than-responsible language and words of outright hate.

However, the media reported fairly responsibly overall, according to the OSCE representative on freedom of the media, Freimut Duve, who welcomed the restraint and level of responsibility of the media in Macedonia in reporting the clashes.

"In the midst of a violent conflict the tone of dailies in Skopje is responsibly directed towards a peaceful future," Duve said in March 2001.