News and updates from BCSDN and the region
In a significant move, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) General Assembly convened on June 3 in Budapest, to express deep concern over the alarming rise in attacks, threats, and pressure on journalists in Serbia. The resolution was put forth by the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Trade Union of Culture, Arts,
Read more →In a vigorous response to proposed amendments to the Electoral Code in North Macedonia, various civic initiatives presented their demands to Parliament on May 30, calling for markedly easier conditions for independent candidacies. These groups are advocating for a maximum requirement of just 50 signatures for independent lists, permission to gather signatures outside State Election
Read more →This study explores the mechanisms, methods, and effects of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in the Republic of North Macedonia, with particular focus on national security, the media landscape, and social cohesion. As a country with a strategic position in the region, a NATO member, and a candidate for European Union (EU) membership, North
Read more →A new civil society-led report sheds light on how the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus is being put into practice, four years after the adoption of the OECD/DAC Nexus Recommendation. Produced by the Peace & Security Thematic Working Group of the DAC-CSO Reference Group, the report draws on global survey responses and insights from online consultations with
Read more →The study “Civic Engagement 2024” by BCSDN’s member Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation (MCIC) reveals important findings about citizens’ participation in various forms of association, non-partisan political activities, and volunteering, as well as the reasons for (non)involvement and motivation for civic engagement in North Macedonia. Nearly half of the citizens do not know which forms
Read more →A new report by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) reveals alarming trends in surveillance and censorship across the Western Balkans. Covering developments through the end of 2024 and early 2025, the study highlights how digital technologies are increasingly used to monitor citizens, suppress dissent, and restrict media freedom despite formal legal alignment with EU
Read more →Women journalists across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia are facing an escalating wave of gender-based violence and intimidation. From relentless online abuse to targeted smear campaigns, the attacks are growing in frequency and ferocity—especially on social media. Investigative reporters, in particular, are bearing the brunt of this aggression, often enduring daily sexist insults,
Read more →A new study by Metamorphosis examines how the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) could impact civil society organizations and investigative journalists in North Macedonia. As the country continues aligning with European standards, the DSA introduces stricter rules for content moderation, algorithm transparency, and the accountability of digital platforms. The research explores how civil society actors
Read more →A new report examines the state of civic education across 35 European countries, highlighting its crucial role in promoting active citizenship and democratic stability. Building on a 2023 study, the report includes 13 additional countries and underscores ongoing challenges faced by civic actors, such as funding shortages, lack of recognition, and the need to adapt
Read more →A year after the adoption of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, legal scholars and civil society actors continue to assess its scope and potential. In a recent EU Law Live op-ed, key reflections are offered on the strengths and remaining gaps in the directive’s design—particularly around cross-border applicability and procedural safeguards for victims. While the directive
Read more →Concentrated media ownership, declining public funding, and the dominance of tech giants in advertising continue to erode editorial independence, with more than half of journalists reporting interference from media owners. While Europe remains the region with the highest level of press freedom, the Western Balkans face mixed developments. Kosovo experienced the sharpest decline in the
Read more →At the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law report meeting, Civil Society Europe (CSE) called for urgent protection of civic space and fundamental rights. Co-chaired by CSE and Caroline Hansen from the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN), the session emphasized coordinated efforts in Brussels and across Europe to safeguard democracy against political threats. Reflecting
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