Reporters Without Borders’ annual World Press Freedom Index indicates a general decline in media freedom across most Balkan countries. While Kosovo reported a notable improvement, rising 15 places in the ranking, the region faces varied challenges. Croatia, Romania, and Greece showed recorded improvements, contrasting with declines observed in several other countries.
Bulgaria, for instance, ranks 71st, marking a slight drop, and is classified as “problematic” by the organization. Other nations are similarly categorized, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are described as having “difficult” media freedom, and Turkiye faces a “very serious” situation. Slovenia remains the best-ranked country in the region at 36th, although RSF noted concerns regarding insufficient protections for journalists, particularly citing the persistence of defamation as a criminal offense.
However, many countries struggle with recurring issues. North Macedonia dropped three positions, with reports noting that widespread disinformation and a lack of professionalism are undermining public trust in the media. In Romania, while the media landscape is considered diverse, key weaknesses include a lack of transparency in funding, especially concerning public funds allocated to political parties, which can lead to political interference.
Croatia improved its standing to 53rd, yet the government has reportedly failed to shield journalists from SLAPP lawsuits and organized crime. Overall, the index highlights that political interference, legal threats, and economic pressures continue to undermine press freedom across multiple countries. These challenges underscore the ongoing struggle to maintain an independent media environment in the region.
Topics: #freedom #media #countries
It’s concerning to see such a widespread decline in media freedom across the Balkan region.
What are the primary factors contributing to the overall decline in media freedom across the Balkan region?