Events
Is the European Media Freedom Act fit for Purpose?
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) represents a major milestone in the European Union’s commitment to safeguarding media pluralism and independence. But questions remain about its efficacy in member states and candidate countries which must align with the same standards when joining the bloc.
In Southeastern Europe, weak regulation and transparency around media ownership remains a pervasive problem, undermining media freedom in the region and presenting a challenge to accession processes.
On November 20 BFMI will present its new report on the implementation of the EMFA at an exclusive event at the European Parliament. This event will be hosted by MEP Andrey Kovatchev, EPP Spokesperson for Enlargement and Southern Neighbourhood.
Event Details:
Wednesday, November 20, 2PM - 3PM
The European Parliament, Room A5F385.
The event will feature a 1-hour panel discussion moderated by BFMI’s Peter Horrocks CBE, former BBC Director and current member of the Content Board of Ofcom.
Confirmed Speakers include:
Maja Kocijančič - Foreign Policy Advisor in the Cabinet of European Council President Charles Michel.
Tom Gibson - EU Representative to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Igor Božić- Eidtor-in-Chief, N1.
Mark Nelson - BFMI and former Director of the Center for International Media Assistance at the National Endowment for Democracy.
The discussion will address the impact of the EMFA in the Balkans; its role in fostering media resilience; and present actionable recommendations for improvement across EU member states and accession countries alike.
Please note that this event is restricted to invitation holders. However, expressions of interest from other stakeholders are welcome. Please submit your details for consideration by clicking the button below.
Defunding Disinformation Conference
The President of the Italian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Hon. Lorenzo Cesa, together with the Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI), are co-hosting the "Defunding Disinformation: Strategies Against Toxic Content” Conference in Rome.
Defunding Disinformation int the Balkans: How Global Brands are Supporting Russia’s Agenda
A high-level discussion at the European Parliament, co-hosted by the Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI) and MEP Andrey Kovatchev, revealed that advertising revenues from global brands play a crucial role in funding media outlets that disseminate disinformation on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other divisive issues in the Balkans.
Report Launch -Social Media and the Information War in the Balkans
To mark the launch of its second report, Social Media and the Information War in the Balkans, the Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI) hosted a discussion on how the spread of disinformation on social media has helped consolidate the power of authoritarian leaders in Serbia and the semi-autonomous region of Republika Srpska, contributing to the destabilisation of the region.