Life to the Border – Reporting by Macedonian Media Outlets about Roma and the Visa Liberalization

This analysis examines the negative effects of the public discourse strategy following the pressures by the EU on Macedonia regarding the abuse of the visa-free regime. The analysis covers media outlets with the highest ratings and with the largest circulation in Macedonia, elaborating upon the manner they report about the issue Roma being returned from border crossing points of the Republic of Macedonia, which is unlawful. The media played a key role in the negative framing of the Roma ethnic community that was caught in the web of repercussions occurring following the visa liberalization. The negative framing of an entire ethnic group resulted in a double violation of rights of persons belonging to the Roma community.