Report Highlights North Macedonia's Vulnerability to Foreign Information Manipulation Amidst 'Clientelist Dynamic'

New Report Uncovers Media Vulnerabilities in North Macedonia

A new methodology report has shed light on significant vulnerabilities within North Macedonia's media ecosystem, making it susceptible to foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). The report, titled 'Enablers and Incentives of Election-Related Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference in North Macedonia,' was launched on November 19, 2025, by International IDEA and the Metamorphosis Foundation, with support from Global Affairs Canada.

The study highlights a 'clientelist dynamic' between the state and media as a primary factor undermining informational integrity in the country. This dynamic, characterized by political and corporate interests influencing editorial content, creates an environment ripe for external exploitation.

The 'Clientelist Dynamic' and Media Landscape

The report details how the relationship between the state and media in North Macedonia has evolved into a 'clientelist dynamic,' where many private media outlets are closely tied to political or business interests. This leads to a lack of pluralistic journalism and a fragmented media landscape, further exacerbated by low public confidence in journalistic practices.

Key issues identified in the media environment include:

• Political and Corporate Influence: Media ownership is often influenced by political and corporate interests, affecting editorial independence.
• Lack of Diversity: The media landscape suffers from a lack of diversity, with an information environment prone to disinformation and manipulation campaigns.
• 'Copy-Paste' Journalism: A prevalence of 'copy-paste' journalism in mainstream media allows manipulation to easily slip through, especially if it originates from powerful centers of influence.
• Opaque Online Ownership: While traditional media ownership is generally transparent, online media ownership remains relatively opaque, posing potential vulnerabilities.

Vulnerabilities to Foreign Interference

North Macedonia's media ecosystem, combined with broader societal factors, presents multiple entry points for foreign actors to manipulate information. The report notes that systemic corruption, political polarization, ethnic divisions, and regulatory gaps contribute significantly to these vulnerabilities.

Digital platforms are particularly susceptible, with social media being exploited for polarizing public opinion and spreading disinformation through tactics like coordinated inauthentic behavior and astroturfing. Algorithms on these platforms are also noted for amplifying extreme content.

Foreign state media and other external actors exploit these weaknesses to disseminate misleading narratives. Examples include Russian and Serbian influence operations, as well as investments in media outlets by Hungarian government-linked actors.

Impact and Recommendations

The manipulation of information disrupts democratic processes, weakens institutions, and fosters public distrust. It also deepens social divisions and can undermine critical agreements, such as the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement, by portraying EU integration as a threat to Macedonian identity.

The report's methodology provides a framework to understand the vulnerabilities exploited by foreign actors to weaponize the information ecosystem and erode election integrity. The launch event aimed to foster dialogue among experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives to develop actionable strategies. Recommendations include improving legislation, enhancing media independence, ensuring digital transparency, and raising public awareness, alongside stronger cross-sectoral cooperation and alignment with EU regulatory standards.