Adenauer Journalism Scholarship

The KAS Media Programme South East Europe starts a new call for its scholarship programme for journalism Bachelor (B.A.) and Master (M.A.) students from the summer semester 2021. The scholars will receive a monthly grant.

Bulgaria: Trust in Media Declines Further

Opinion poll by the Media Programme South East Europe of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the Research Centre “Trend”

“China’s Rising Media Presence in South East Europe”

New publication by KAS Media Programme South East Europe and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)

In the past years, China has continuously expanded its presence in South East Europe. China's influence in the region, however, goes beyond infrastructure and science and has gradually expanded in various areas, including the media.

Hendrik Sittig: “There is a chance of serious conversation about how important media freedom is”

Translation of the interview with the Head of KAS Media Programme South East Europe, for the Bulgarian news portal „Dnevnik“, published on 21st of October 2020.

Hendrik Sittig has been heading the regional programme bureau, opened 13 years ago, of the Media Programme South East Europe of the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung or KAS) in difficult times for the media in Bulgaria and the countries throughout the region. Difficult times for Bulgarian democracy as well. Dnevnik is talking with him about the anniversary of German reunification, the activities of the Media Programme, deficits and clichés in the media environment, the European Commission’s rule of law report and good Bulgarian journalism.

New Book on Media Freedom in South East Europe in the Midst of COVID-19 Pandemic

With country reports from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia

The Media Programme South East Europe of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the Center for the Study of Democracy have analysed together with media experts the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the media freedom across the Balkan region.

KAS Media Programme South East Europe grants for the first time the Adenauer Journalism Scholarship

On 17th of September 2020, the KAS Media Programme South East Europe has granted the first Adenauer Journalism Scholarship.

Merkel: Democracy needs a free press

In the current podcast from 16th of May 2020, German Chancellor Angela Merkel underlines the role of the free press - 75 years after the first post-war newspapers were published in Germany: "A democracy needs facts and information. It has to distinguish between truth and lie.” Right now, during the corona pandemic, well-researched information is important for the society.

State of Emergency: Corona, the Media and new Rules in South East Europe

The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic influences the daily life immensely and is responsible for sev-eral restrictions in our lives. Especially in these times of crisis it is important that the citizens receive correct information. Journalists and media play therefore a vital role. In the current con-text serious and reliable media are even more important as the current pandemic is also an “in-fodemic” where a lot of false information is spread. Thus, local authorities in South East Europe are not only fighting against the spread of the virus, but also against fake news and disinforma-tion. However, there comes the danger that the crisis is being used to turn off unwanted, critical voices.

Russian Dominance on Moldovan Media Market prevails

Due to its Soviet past, the Russian influence in the Republic of Moldova is still very significant. The country is divided between European integration and Russian convergence. After the government of the pro-European coalition ACUM leaded by Maia Sandu and the pro-Russian Party of Socialists (PSRM) of President Igor Dodon fell apart in November 2019, pro-Russian powers under the leadership of Dodon are expanding its power progressively. This affects the media market, which already has experienced an enormous state concentration under the long-time government of the Democratic Party and its leader Vladimir Plahotniuc.

Hendrik Sittig: „To have quality journalism, you should want it“

Interview with Hendrik Sittig, Head of the Media Programme South East Europe of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for the Bulgarian news portal „Mediapool.bg“, published on 5th of March 2020.