Governance
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.
Our goal is to strengthen and safeguard free and independent media to advance democratic values in the Balkans.
International Advisory Board
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![Black and white headshot of John Sweeney - investigative journalist.]()
John Sweeney
London, Kyiv
Investigative Journalist and Writer, Ex-BBC Panorama.
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Renne Traicova
Sofia
Team Leader for the Basel Institute on Governance’s programme in Bulgaria.
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![Profile of Simon McGee, International Advisory Board member.]()
Simon McGee
London
Communications Leader and Former Communications Director for a British Prime Minister and two Foreign Secretaries.
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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
Management Committee
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Antoinette Nikolova - Director
Brussels, Sofia, Rome
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Mark Nelson
Washington D.C.
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Peter Horrocks
London
Partners and Supporters
BFMI works with a wide range of international and 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, Co-Founder of BFMI
5 February 1944 – 2 June 2021
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 the Balkan Free Media Initiative was invaluable. James will always be remembered in the work that we do.