The European Institute for the Media (EIM) has completed the first part of its mission monitoring the coverage of Macedoniaнs parliamentary election campaign. Monitoring began October 1 and continued until October 16, and is scheduled to resume October 25 through November 1. The project is carried out with co-financing from the European Commission, EIM reported.

The analysis embraces 16 media outlets, both print and broadcast, that are based in Skopje, Tetovo, Stip and Kumanovo. The EIM mission so far has concluded that Macedonian media through their variety gave voters a reasonably complete picture of the issues, parties and candidates. The mission especially commends efforts of some private broadcasters and of the national public service broadcaster in providing candidates with a fairly balanced access to the media.

EIM monitors said the chief problems facing the media were the limited scope of competence of the Broadcasting Council, lack of communication between the authorities and applicants for concessions, affiliation between the political parties and the media, widespread video piracy on private television, unfair competition by certain local media through undercutting advertising rates, print and distribution difficulties for independent media, and low advertising revenue.

For more information contact the EIM, Kaistrasse 13, 40221 Dёsseldorf, Germany. Tel: (49-211) 901-040. Fax: (49-211) 901-0456. E-mail: info@eim.de.