Who We Are

Our goal is to strengthen and safeguard free and independent media to advance democratic values in the region.

BFMI was launched in 2021 by a group of media and advocacy experts concerned about the lack of action regarding the alarming decline of media freedom in Southeast Europe. BFMI draws its strength from an International Advisory Board, comprised of experienced professionals in media, policy and diplomacy from the US, UK, Europe, and the Balkans.

International Advisory Board

  • Black and white headshot of John Sweeney - investigative journalist.

    John Sweeney

    London, Kyiv

    Investigative Journalist and Writer, Ex-BBC Panorama.

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  • Black and white headshot of Meglena Kuneva

    Dr. Meglena Kuneva

    Brussels, Strassbourg, Sofia

    Former European Commissioner for Consumer Protection and EU Ambassador to the Council of Europe

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  • Black and White headshot of Marion Karaoke

    Marion Kraske

    Berlin, Vienna, Sarajevo

    Journalist and Political Analyst, Former Director of the Heinrich Böll (BiH).

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  • Black and White headshot of Andrea Bonnani

    Andrea Bonanni

    Rome, Brussels

    Analyst and Journalist, La Reppublica

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  • Black and White Headshot of Sonia Kanikova

    Sonia Kanikova

    Washington D.C.

    Media Analyst and Consultant

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  • Eric Jozsef

    Paris, Rome

    Journalist, Libération

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  • Black and White headshot of Georgi Gotev

    Georgi Gotev

    Sofia, Brussels

    Senior Editor of EURACTIV

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  • Black and White headshot of Mark Nelson

    Mark Nelson

    Washington D.C.

    Former Senior Director of the National Endowment for Democracy, Head of the Center for International Media Assistance

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  • Black and white headshot of Peter Horrocks

    Peter Horrocks

    London

    Former Director of the BBC World Service

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Management Committee

  • Black and White headshot of Antoinette Nikolova

    Antoinette Nikolova - Director

    Brussels, Sofia, Rome

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  • Black and White headshot of Mark Nelson

    Mark Nelson

    Washington D.C.

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  • Black and white headshot of Peter Horrocks

    Peter Horrocks

    London

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Partners

BFMI works with local organisations to bring greater international attention to the threats facing free media and their consequences for peace and democracy in Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia

Remembering Amb. James W. Pardew

5 February 1944 – 2 June 2021

James W. Pardew Darkbackground-b&w variant (2).jpg

James W. Pardew was an American diplomat, former United States Ambassador to Bulgaria and a founding member of BFMI.  He was passionate about the cause of democracy in the Balkans and  recognised the role of free media in fostering peace and development in the region. Pardew sadly passed away in 2021 shortly after the organisation was founded.

In 1995, Pardew was part of the negotiating team that concluded the Dayton Peace Agreement ending the war in Bosnia. He was the Deputy Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Democracy in the Balkans during the conflict in Kosovo and subsequent peace implementation between 1999-2001.  In 2001 he helped negotiate the Ohrid Agreement that brought an end to ethnic conflict in Macedonia. As ambassador to Bulgaria between 2002-2005, Pardew oversaw the country being admitted to NATO and completed its accession negotiations for European Union membership.

His advice and guidance in the formation of this organisation was invaluable. James will always be remembered in the work that we do.