Media freedom throughout Europe needs all the support it can get, but the situation in the Balkans is particularly worrying, participants told an online conference “Media Freedom in the Balkans” organised by EURACTIV.
The situation for independent media in the region has deteriorated sharply in recent years, panellists told the event on Thursday (3 June), setting the stage for an international debate on media freedom in the Western Balkans.
Independent media are at risk and could not survive on their own as they are part of a political and economic environment that favours mainly pro-government and state media. At the same time, journalists who go against the tide are too often victims of harassment and even physical attacks.