You can speak truth to power, but does it respond?
Let me return to a particular moment that symbolizes the uphill battle facing journalists in the Balkans. It was during a presidential election in the Balkans, where, as a journalist, I faced a common challenge.
I wanted to know what a candidate planned to do for education reform if they won. To my surprise, he brushed the question aside, saying he didn’t have time for “those things.”
This incident reflects a broader problem facing journalists in the Balkans. It’s not just about getting information; it’s about holding politicians accountable for their promises. This meeting showed how certain crucial issues are ignored in the rapidly changing political world.
In a broader perspective, this represents the challenges journalists face in the Balkans. Beyond the struggle for information, there is a sense that politicians are sometimes disconnected from the issues that really matter to the people they represent.
As we talk about press freedom in the Balkans, this story highlights the need for a media environment where politicians are not only accessible but also willing to discuss important issues. The challenges of writing go beyond simply finding information; Journalists dig deep into the region’s political scene, where uncovering the truth often faces significant obstacles.
The tension between media and politics
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, I share common ground with others who have faced multifaceted challenges, including economic pressures, political interference and a lack of public understanding of the vital role of journalism.
The erosion of institutions, with government departments often ignoring or withholding information from journalists, further compounds the difficulties. There is an urgent need for public support and understanding, essential elements that are often lacking in a society where journalists struggle to assert their role in developing a transparent and accountable governance structure.
Progress has been made, but an undercurrent of danger and hostility still characterizes the media landscape in many parts of the Western Balkans.
One cannot analyze the state of press freedom in the Balkans without recognizing the omnipresent forces of political and economic pressure. It is a delicate dance in which journalists strive to maintain their professional integrity amid the looming shadow of political influence. While their Western counterparts may experience a healthy tension between media and politics, in the Balkans the balance is often tipped in favor of political domination.
Press freedom is more than a legal framework; it’s a delicate ecosystem that requires protection against overt and subtle threats. Even with seemingly robust legal guarantees, journalists in the Balkans find themselves grappling with political pressure, compromising the very essence of an independent press. The contrast between what is envisaged in theory and what actually happens in practice is obvious, which poses a challenge for journalists faced with complex situations.
An informed citizen relies on information.
Economic challenges further aggravate the fight for press freedom. The media landscape is fragmented and resources allocated to quality journalism are limited. The survival of media often depends on their ability to generate revenue. This leads to stories being pushed towards sensationalism and entertainment to capture the audience’s attention. It’s a dilemma where the search for truth clashes with the demands of a market-driven media economy.
It should be noted, however, that the people of the Balkans believe in the role of the press. In 2023, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted a survey on the level of media freedom and trust in the media among citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They found that citizens trust the media more than religious groups, government institutions and the international community and that most people believe that politicians violate the rights of journalists.
As the political landscape of the Balkans continues to shape the narrative, journalists walk a tightrope between reporting the facts and navigating the complex web of political sensitivities.
The advent of digital platforms offers a glimmer of hope, but challenges persist. Around 200 podcasts have emerged in the Balkans, trying to carve out a place for themselves in a landscape still dominated by traditional media. The struggle to monetize content and the scarcity of advanced recording technologies remain obstacles hindering the potential growth of this burgeoning media form.
These days I lead the News Decoder role in a project called WePod which brings together nine organizations from seven European countries to study and hopefully nurture the podcasting industry in Europe, create collaborative audio content, and train and connect podcasting professionals.
In a way, this brings me back to where I started. Having explored the buzzing waves of radio, I now do so with its digital counterpart. But what hasn’t changed is the need for people to support journalism by purchasing content that offers quality, verified information and sharing content from trusted sources. These are essential steps that any informed citizen can take to strengthen media independence. Because without this type of media, we will not have informed citizens.