The Charlie Hebdo effect in the Balkans

The attacks against the French journalists in January 2015 stirred vivid emotions and considerable reactions, without, however, increasing the Islamophobia in the region. The debates failed to critically tackle the role and limits of the freedom of expression in relation to the freedom of religion. Apparently, the freedom of expression has fewer and fewer supporters even among the media professionals. These are the main conclusions of the report The Charlie Hebdo Effect in the Balkans. The study is based on national reports prepared by media experts in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The report – the first in a series of six dedicated to freedom of expression in the region – is part of the program South East European Partnership for Media Development, implemented by a consortium of media organizations from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Media professionals from Kosovo and Turkey will also be involved. The project, co-financed by the European Commission, the Civil Society Facility, Media Freedom and Accountability Programme, addresses three main topics: labour conditions for journalists, media education (both for journalists and the public) and freedom of expression at large and is going to be conducted until 2017.