Report from research of citizens’ ability to discern and deal with disinformation
This report includes the findings of the public opinion research that refers to identification of citizens’ ability to discern and deal with disinformation.
Hate Speech in Macedonia
ICS conducted research on the dominant hate speech narratives in Macedonia and the most frequent perpetrators (and victims) of such speech in the country. Read the document in which we outline the most obvious such cases in the past few years.
Media literacy in the university study programs in the Republic of North Macedonia
The aim of the research is to find out if higher education provides the students with the necessary knowledge and skills in the field of media, digital and information literacy, as well as whether it prepares them to cope with the influx of disinformation campaigns.
New Summits: The Pursuit of Higher Climate Ambitions
The rapid spread of the Delta strain of the coronavirus and the myriad of extreme forest fires and storms around the world were a hellish harbinger of an increasingly probable future. The joint publication of Res Publica and Project Syndicate "New Summits" focuses on possible solutions with which we will be more prepared to face that future.
Regulating water bodies or illegal business?
When the basic conditions for precise arrangement and maintenance of water bodies are not provided, a climate is created in which the motive for extraction of these mineral resources is of purely lucrative nature and is not carried out for achieving public interest which is protection of water from harmful effects. In this way, instead of regulating surface water bodies, the excavation of material becomes an illegal business for commercial purposes.
Better coordination and implementation of the inspection supervision: What will help?
The work of environmental inspection services is of great importance in the prevention and sanctioning of acts that lead to degradation of natural resources. The effective planning of regular inspection supervisions enables proper deployment of the monitoring and control resources where they are most needed.
Recording the pressures on the water resources: Who pollutes the waters in North Macedonia?
The existence of information system on water permits issued, the degree of water pollution and identification of pollutions sources should be the basis for the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP) in pursuing a sustainable water policy. The degree of harmful impact cannot be determined in the absence of full records of users and water polluters, so each administrative measure adopted by the MoEPP is ad hoc. Anyone can discharge harmful and dangerous substances without a permit, can pollute and not be subject to sanctions for illegal actions.
Monitoring the water resources: How to establish the real situation?
The current monitoring of water quality and quantity in Macedonia is inadequate to give a realistic picture of the current state of the water resources. The reasons for this situation are the lack of monitoring programs and cartographic representations in accordance with the requirements of the Law on Waters, insufficient financial and human resources, poor condition of the state measuring stations and the failure to meet the internal monitoring obligations.
Local Priorities for Environmental Protection in Regions with Protected Areas
Are young people involved in extracurricular activities in this area and what is being done by CSOs and institutions about environmental protection are some of the questions covered by the research "Local Priorities for Environmental Protection in Regions with Protected Areas (Demir Kapija, Prespa, Strumica Pelagonija, Tikves and Ohrid)” conducted by the Institute of Communication Studies in partnership with the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES). The main goal of the research is to strengthen the communication capacities for advocacy of the civil society organizations and youth and to strengthen the participation of the public in environmental decision making.