ASHMAA responds to AMM and RTM: Evidence of program violations should be submitted to the competent institutions

The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services has responded to statements by MMA and MRT, describing as inaccurate and unsupported the claims that the Arena M1, Arena M2 and Arena M3 Premium program services are foreign channels retransmitted in the Republic of North Macedonia.

According to ASHMA, all actions in this case were undertaken in accordance with the powers defined under the Law on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services.

The Agency explains that its assessment was based on the relevant documentation, as well as data and information obtained from the competent institutions of the Republic of North Macedonia and the relevant foreign entities.

Based on the materials reviewed, Arena M1, Arena M2 and Arena M3 Premium are considered foreign program services that are retransmitted, rather than domestic television services broadcasting programs within the country’s territory. This is because their source signal is not broadcast in the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia.

ASHMA also denied accusations that its decisions create opportunities to evade legal obligations, as well as claims of illegality in the actions of the Agency or its officials.

“If MMA and MRT have evidence of suspected unlawful actions by the Agency, we call on them to submit it to the competent institutions. At the same time, we stress that it is unacceptable to spread unfounded qualifications and insinuations that create the impression of illegal or arbitrary actions by the regulator solely for the sake of its own interests,” ASHMA said in its response.