Traditional NBRM Journalist Workshop

Traditional NBRM Journalist Workshop

“Communication is an ongoing challenge for the central banks. It is undisputed that effective central bank communication will always be marked by flexibility and adaptability, depending not only on the economic environment, but also on the public interest and trends in the communication and information networks and media, which, due to the development of technology and digitization, are changing, advancing and improving on a daily basis. The constant strengthening of transparency, that is, promotion and development of communication with the public, including media, is a challenge for the National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia. We work diligently to respond to the challenge, while paying attention to the two points of communication - immediate communication with the public and communication with the media. ...In doing so, we not only struggle to increase intensity, but also quality of our communication.” - said Anita Angelovska Bezhoska, Governor of the NBRM in the address at the Journalist Workshop hosted by the central bank in Skopje, yesterday. 

She also told journalists that for the NBRM, they are one of the main transmitters of monetary policy messages to the public. "Not as our spokespersons, but as individuals and professionals respected by the public, who follow our work daily" - emphasized Governor Angelovska Bezhoska.

This year’s Workshop, attended by the greatest number of journalists so far, was distinguished by the format and the concept from the previous ones, which is the result of the NBRM's attempt to follow the journalists’ interest, as well as their recommendations expressed during the successful cooperation with the central bank. This year's concept, inter alia, provided for a greater room for discussion and interaction with the participants.

The workshop focused on two very important topics, often present in the journalistic texts, articles and analyses - the NBRM Lending Survey and the bank profitability. Presentations were made by Neda Popovska Kamnar from the Monetary Policy and Research Department and Mihajlo Vaskov from the Financial Stability and Bank Regulation Department at the NBRM. Each presentation was followed by a discussion, addressing many issues related to the topics. At the end of the event, the NBRM Chief Economist, Aneta Krstevska, who was a Workshop moderator, made a presentation focusing on the central bank communication in practice, with a special emphasis on the NBRM communication. Among other things, it was pointed out that many NBRM and statistical reports are already summarized in press releases, which significantly facilitates the communication with the public. Central banks’ transparency index data were also presented, with special emphasis on the NBRM. Dynamically, the NBRM transparency index shows continuous strengthening of the NBRM communication in the area of monetary policy, with the NBRM being a leader in transparency among the central banks in the region. In her presentation, the NBRM Chief Economist paid special attention to the media communication in the practice.

At the Workshop, besides the main topics, the journalists also presented their experiences in the communication with the NBRM over the past year. They also gave recommendations which will be taken into consideration for advancing central bank's public relations.

The Workshop ended in a gathering, which, besides the participants, was also attended by chef editors and journalists who had a close cooperation with the NBRM in the past year, by participating in press conferences, research conferences and other events, as well as in discussions related to the central bank operations.

In the period ahead, the NBRM will raise its level of transparency, by promoting the way, the form and the channels of communication, while the central bank staff will always make sure that it is a socially responsible institution whose communication with the media representatives is at the highest professional level, and will be a role model for others.