Islands of integrity: the struggle of independent media in Albania - Article

Lufti Dervishi, a founding member of the Albanian Center for Quality Journalism, emphasises the challenges that Albanian journalism faces today. The media are entangled in corruption, self-censorship, and state-sponsored disinformation. However, not everything is negative, and there is still reason for hope

By Luisa Chiodi, Sukanya Sengupta

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA

Media freedom groups alarmed by escalating death threats against journalist Murat Ağırel - Article

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) and undersigned press freedom and freedom of expression groups strongly condemn the ongoing and intensifying threats against prominent Turkish journalist Murat Ağırel.

Media Landscape in Montenegro - Article

A survey of the challenges faced by media professionals in Montenegro through the lenses of three themes: media capture, legal threats, and the safety of journalists

By Sava Mirković

The problem is not in breaking law, but in failing to enforce it - Article

Regulatory authority for electronic media’s (REM) dependence on the government, the problem of non-transparency of media ownership, as well as impunity for attacks on journalists are the main problems on the media scene in Serbia, according to the report "Rule of Law and Media Freedom in Serbia – Shadow Report for 2024", jointly prepared by the Independent Journalists ‘ Association of Serbia (IJAS) and the Italian think tank OBC Transeuropa 

Originally published by IJAS . Also available in Serbo-Croatian  

2024 Rule of Law Report - Country Chapter Croatia - Reports

Media Freedom, pluralism and the Right to Information are legally safeguarded in Croatia. However, skepticism persists regarding the independence of the Council for Electronic Media and the public service broadcaster, HRT. Media ownership transparency remains a challenge and SLAPPs targeting journalists are a growing concern

Media Freedom Mission to Romania questions fairness of electoral coverage - Article

Urgent reform of political funding for ‘press and propaganda’ needed to end media dependency on political parties

Serbia: KRIK journalists facing SLAPPs after publishing the profile of Judge Dušanka Đorđević in database - Article

The lawsuits followed KRIK’s publication of Judge Dušanka Đorđević and her husband's profile on the “Judge Who Judges” database on 24 January 2024.

Serbia: media independence is an exception rather than the rule - Article

Increasing political and financial pressure threatens the independence and editorial autonomy of many media outlets in Serbia. We interviewed Irina Milutinović, Senior Research Associate at the Institute of European Studies in Belgrade and co-author of the Country Report on Serbia of the Media Pluralism Monitor 2023

By Serena Epis

Originally published on OBCT , also available in ITA

Journo News Monitor: an AI-powered study on Turkey’s new media - Reports

A study on news recommendations systems in Turkey that focuses on Google's algorithms and exploits AI solutions for its methodological approach to data analysis.

Uncovering news deserts in Europe: Risks and opportunities for local and community media in the EU - Reports

The research is focused on detecting challenges and opportunities for local and community media and identifying "news deserts" in the 27 EU Member States.