Blogs
Global Brands Unwittingly Fund Pro-Kremlin Disinformation in the Balkans, New Study Shows
New report: Defunding Disinformation in the Balkans: How International Brands Support Russia’s Agenda
BFMI concerned about draft law in Hungary
BFMI joins media freedom groups in raising concerns about new draft law in Hungary
BFMI: Serbia’s draft media law falls far below EU standards and fails to protect independent media in the region
BFMI is profoundly concerned over the drafts of two critical laws for the national media environment that have been presented for consultation by the Serbian government. The draft laws represent a step back in media reform and showcase President Vucic’s disregard for EU values.
BFMI at the European Parliament: Global brands contributing to the spread of pro-Kremlin disinformation in the Balkans
BFMI hosted an event at the European Parliament on how global brands are funding media that spread disinformation in the Balkans.
BFMI Welcomes European Parliament’s Anti-SLAPP Legislation; Stresses Need for Balkan Focus
BFMI welcomes the EU Parliament's endorsement of legislation to protect journalists and activists from SLAPPs, but highlights the need for further action in the Balkans. BFMI also calls on the European Council to adopt robust and effective legislation.
How will the EU make the foreign financing of media transparent?
Momchil Injov, EU Correspondent for Bulgaria’s Club Z, writes about the media freedom concerns of the EU ‘defense of democracy package.’
Handelsbatt: ‘Vucic is a master of propaganda’ - BFMI
BFMI Director Antoinette Nikolova has been quoted in an article published by German news outlet Handelsblatt on the influence of foreign powers – particularly Russia – in Serbia.
BFMI marks two years
BFMI was created two years ago today to monitor developments across the Balkans and inform political audiences about threats to democracy due to the declining information environment
STATEMENT: 2022 European Parliament Report on Serbia outlines crisis facing independent journalism and media freedom
In a signed statement, BFMI, IPI and NUNS note with deepening concern the declining climate of media freedom highlighted in the latest European Parliament report on Serbia.
BFMI: Give teeth to the European Media Freedom Act!
In an opinion piece published by Euractiv, BFMI Director Antoinette Nikolova highlights several shortcomings of the upcoming European Media Freedom Act, including the non-binding nature of key provisions on editorial independence, ownership transparency and state advertisement.
Democracy that delivers: Strategic re-engagement with the Western Balkans Roundtable
BFMI participated in a policy roundtable titled “Democracy that delivers: Strategic re-engagement with the Western Balkans,” hosted by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) in partnership with EURACTIV Bulgaria.
BFMI ROUNDTABLE: Can free media help prevent a Kosovo-Serbia crisis?
The declining media environment in the Balkans plays a key role in rising tensions between ethnic Serbs and the ethnic Albanian-led government in Kosovo, which is now having a serious impact on the security situation.
BFMI hosted an online roundtable of experts on the role of free media in the Kosovo-Serbia crisis.
Tagesschau: The influence of Russian media in Serbia is “huge”
BFMI Director Antoinette Nikolova has been quoted in an article published by German news outlet Tagesschau about the influence of Russian state-sponsored media in Serbia.
New report exposes pro-Kremlin disinformation networks in the Balkans
A new report from the independent, cross-border journalism network VSquare uncovers the connections and tactics of websites spreading Russian disinformation in 13 countries across Europe.
Slovenia: BFMI joins media freedom groups in backing legislative efforts to depoliticise public media
The Balkan Free Media Initiative, along with seven media freedom organisations, announced its support for the proposed reform of the public broadcasters law of Slovenia. The organisations highlight the urgent need to depoliticise public media services and will continue to monitor the situation.
BFMI raises alarm over draft Bulgarian law
BFMI joins media freedom organisations in raising the alarm over draft law submitted to Bulgarian parliament by the far-right party which would introduce a Russian-style “foreign agent” law involving potential sanctions for media outlets.
How member states’ consultation might impact the European Media Freedom Act
BFMI’s Director, Antoinette Nikolova, participated in an event with Euractiv Bulgaria and other media experts to discuss the European Media Freedom Act - and potential roadblocks it faces as it moves through the European Parliament process.
European Media Freedom Act needs a Balkan focus
BFMI’s Antoinette Nikolova explains in Euractive why the European Media Freedom Act needs a Balkan focus. The EU must ensure that the new media law can have a positive impact in acceding countries where the deterioration of media freedom is a growing problem.
Balkan countries rank among the lowest in 2022 Media Literacy Index
Countries in the Balkans and Southeast Europe are the most vulnerable to fake news and disinformation, according to the 2022 Media Literacy Index. The EU must to more to oblige EU members and accession candidates alike, particularly in the Balkans, to protect media freedom and pluralism.