According to the South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM) Regional Overview, the crisis of media and journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey continues, and the concerns for the future of our media and our democracies abound. The main issues arise from the insecure position of journalists, who face poor socioeconomic conditions, constant pressure, and threats, which severely limit their ability to produce content that serves the public interest. This situation is worsened by the widespread use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) by political officials to silence critical reporting, combined with a lack of consistent oversight of these cases. Additionally, there is a significant lack of diversity in both media content and newsroom personnel, with many identity groups being largely overlooked despite some policies aimed at ethnic diversity in multiethnic communities. This collective crisis weakens democratic processes and undermines the fundamental role of the media in a free society. Read more here.
Source: SEENPM
