Broadcaster Promoting Macedonia’s Diverse Cultural Heritage

MRT (Macedonian Radio and Television) has been providing news and entertainment services to audiences in Macedonia for decades. It began with the creation of Macedonian Radio in December 1944. In 1964, the company integrated television broadcasting and became Macedonian Radio and Television. Formerly part of Yugoslav Radio and Television (JRT), MRT began to operate independently in 1993 and is now an active member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Dime Ratajkoski, Editor-in-Chief, explains that Macedonian Television (MTV) broadcasts Channel One, Channel Two (which has programmes for ethnic minorities), a satellite channel and the Parliamentary channel. MRT’s radio service, MRA, broadcasts Channel One, Channel Two, Channel Three (which has programmes for ethnic minorities) and a satellite channel.

As a public service, MRT produces programmes on news and current affairs, debates, educational and cultural issues, sports, features and entertainment, and documentaries. MRT also produces programmes for the disabled and people with special needs, including people with hearing problems.

Focus on human rights and high standards

“Our programming focuses on two major components: to affirm, cherish, preserve and promote Macedonia’s spiritual and cultural identity, including the heritage and values of all the country’s ethnic communities; and to adhere to European standards in order to contribute to Macedonia’s drive to integrate into the EU,” Dime Ratajkoski says. He adds, “Our main focus has always been to foster human rights and freedoms, a sound regulatory environment and a market economy in Macedonia.”

MRT stands out from other broadcasting services in Europe because it broadcasts in nine different languages in order to reach all of Macedonia’s ethnic communities. In addition to its programmes in Macedonian, MTV broadcasts programmes in Albanian 9.5 hours daily and in Turkish 2.5 hours daily. In addition, MTV broadcasts programmes in Serb, Romany, Vlach and Bosniak for 30 minutes three times per week and for one hour per month in each language.

MRA broadcasts programmes in Macedonian, Albanian (8.5 hours per day during the week and nine hours on weekends); Turkish (five hours daily); Vlach (30 minutes daily); Romany (30 minutes daily); Serb (30 minutes daily); Bosniak (30 minutes daily); Bulgarian; and Greek.

Macedonia’s current broadcasting law regulates the status of MRT and is designed to promote public-broadcasting services that meet European standards. MRT is a member of a number of international broadcasting associations, including EBU, Circom, COPEAM and URTI. Dime Ratajkoski concludes, “MRT has been a public-service-oriented broadcaster with a European spirit since it was founded.”