Several different topics were discussed by the participants who agreed on many matters – but also disagreed on the subject of communication between journalists and civil society organizations.
It was agreed that this communication needed to be a two-way street and that both sides should counsel each other on how to improve their cooperation.
NGOs said that some of the media seemed uninterested in topics they consider important for society and that their research was often not treated and published appropriately.
The journalists for their part told the NGO representatives that they needed quicker reactions from them as topics emerged and a more direct approach to journalists as well as other alternative methods of contact.
The debate was organized as part of the “Project for Investigative Journalism and Cooperation between Media and Civil Society.”
It was the tenth and last of a series of debates organized as part of the project, which is funded by the USAID programme for strengthening the independent media in Macedonia.
The subjects were selected at a meeting between journalists and NGOs in mid-April.
Other topics include ethnic relations, education and youth, human rights, health and rights of patients, cultural policy, environmental issues, good governance, quality of life and marginalized groups.