Reporters Without Borders’ annual World Press Freedom Index indicates a general deterioration of media freedom across most Balkan countries. While improvements are noted in Kosovo, which rose 15 places, as well as in Croatia, Romania, and Greece, several nations experienced declines. Bulgaria, for instance, ranked 71st, marking a one-place drop, with the organization classifying the situation as “problematic.”
Slovenia remains the top-ranked country in the region regarding media freedom, placing 36th, though RSF expressed concern over insufficient protections for journalists, noting that defamation remains a criminal offense.
Conversely, other countries face varied challenges. Montenegro declined to 41st, with press freedom remaining threatened by political interference. North Macedonia dropped to 45th, where the report highlighted that widespread disinformation and poor public official conduct diminish trust in the media.
The report details systemic weaknesses across several countries. In Romania, while the media landscape is diverse, key vulnerabilities include a lack of transparency in funding and instances of political interference in appointing public broadcasting heads. Cyprus and Albania also registered declines, with media operations being significantly influenced by governmental, religious, or business interests.
Overall, the index reveals that despite constitutional guarantees of freedom in many countries, the media sector across the region remains vulnerable. Issues such as political pressure, economic influence, and legal threats continue to undermine the freedom and independence of the press in these countries.
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