European Parliament - Stakeholders

The European Parliament (EP) is an Organ of the European Union (EU) that is seated in Strasbourg (France) and Brussels (Belgium) and whose members are directly elected by voters in all Member States to represent people’s interests with regard to EU law-making and to make sure that other EU institutions are working democratically. EP's work is takes place in plenary sessions as well as in Committees on more specific topics.

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is a standing Committee within the European Parliament. It is responsible for the vast majority of the legislation and democratic oversight of the Union of citizens' rights, human rights and fundamental rights. Whilst doing so, it ensures the full respect of the Charter of Fundamental Rights within the EU, the European Convention on Human Rights and the strengthening of European citizenship. LIBE official website

The Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is a subcommittee of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. DROI main responsibilities include all matters relating to human rights, the protection of minorities and the promotion of democratic values while its geographical remit covers countries outside the EU. The subcommittee's main objectives involve ensuring that human rights are at the forefront of European foreign policy and mainstreaming human rights across all policy areas. DROI official website

International assistance and media democratization in the Western Balkans: a cross-national comparison - Academic Sources

This report by Irion and Jusic, published by Analitika in 2013, compares the conditions and factors that influence the creation of sustainable and functional media institutions in the democratizing countries of the Western Balkans. It does so by taking into account the strong role played by international assistance programs and conditionality mechanisms.

Promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression - Reports

The September 2015 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye focuses on the protection of sources of information and whistle-blowers

Media reform stalled in the slow lane. Soft censorship in Serbia - Reports

The document released by WAN-IFRA in collaoration with BIRN as part of the project on soft censorship around the world, reports on Soft Censorship practices and its effects on media liberty in Serbia

Major Trends of Media Development during Post-Communist Transition - Albania - Reports

The study, prepared by Ilda Londo and published by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Albania, concentrates on the media situation and the current challenges in Albania since 1991

Report by the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights following his visit to Serbia - Reports

This report by Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe (CoE), following his visit to Serbia from 16 to 20 March 2015, assesses the state of human rights in Serbia, devoting attention to media freedom in the country. Among the issues raised by the Commisioner there is the importance of the ongoing process of privatization, the recurrence of attacks against journalists and the lack transparency in media funding

Defence Handbook for Journalists and Bloggers on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information Principles in International Law - Manuals

The Defence Handbook for Journalists and Bloggers is unique in its kind as it focuses specifically on the application of international legal principles to the work of journalists

Employment conditions of journalists in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia - Reports

A regional report by the South East European Partnership for Media Development on the employment conditions of journalists in SEE countries highlights the poor conditions of those working in the media sector

The pro-Russian disinformation campaign in the Czech Republic and Slovakia - Reports

An overview of the pro-Russian disinformation activities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia published by the Prague Security Studies Institute

Building digital safety for journalism. A survey of selected issues - Reports

With the rise of digital platforms, ensuring safety for journalists has become even more complex. This UNESCO study of selected challenges addresses digital security for journalism formulating recommendations for governments and journalism contributors