He is a media and communication expert with more than twenty-five years of experience in journalism, public communication, and ethical standards. He began working in daily television journalism at the age of eleven, later continuing his career across several of the largest Macedonian TV networks, including serving as Editor-in-Chief at TV 24. Over the years, he has worked across newsrooms, documentary production, media analysis, and public-interest storytelling, building a strong commitment to responsible reporting, ethical decision-making, and editorial integrity.
He serves as President of the Council of Honour of the Association of Journalists of Macedonia and as National Coordinator of the Multi-Stakeholder Working Group drafting the new national Code of Ethics for Journalists and Media Workers. Ognen is also President of the Macedonian-American Alumni Association (MAAA). He is the Creative and Marketing Director — and co-founder — of “3rd Sector Production,” a media and communications company producing documentary, educational, and socially engaged content.
Ognen lectures at the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors (North Macedonia) and at the London School of PR – Skopje, teaching public speaking, media relations, and strategic communication. His professional interests include media literacy, disinformation resilience, and GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) in journalism. He mentors young reporters, civil society organizations, media outlets, and public institutions across the Western Balkans. He is a United Nations Reham al-Farra Fellow (2016) and an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s Media Co-Op Program (2015).
His work has been recognized with several awards, including the Amerigo Award, a European-level recognition presented in Italy for achievements in journalism and transatlantic diplomacy in communication. From 2021, he also is a No Hate Speech Ambassador for the Western Balkans, within the Council of Europe and EU's campaign.
He has a particular interest in strengthening authentic storytelling in an era increasingly shaped by AI, helping young journalists develop clarity, confidence, and ethical awareness while navigating today’s fast-changing media environment.
