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.

No Transmission of Critical Voices

In Serbia there is currently an economic crime thriller happening on the television market and this before the parliament elections on the 26th April. The story is about several cable providers and the media group „United Media“ (parent enterprise: „United Group“) with its TV channel N1 that belongs to the media companies in Serbia which report critically about the government. The state-owned cable provider “Pošta Net“ has already removed the channels of United Media from its programme last December because they couldn’t agree on a contract renewal. As a result, many households couldn’t receive N1 anymore. Since Mid-January more viewers are affected, as the cable provider under the state „Telekom Serbia“ hasn’t prolonged their contracts either. A public exchange with accusations of political and economic interference between the players followed. Similar situations in the neighbouring countries can be observed. But let’s be clear from the get-go: The situation is more complicated than that and political reasons are not the only explanation for it.

Neues Mediengesetz in Albanien befeuert Angst vor Zensur

Gegen großen nationalen und internationalen Protest hat das albanische Parlament mit seiner sozialistischen Mehrheit ein umstrittenes Mediengesetz verabschiedet. Das Gesetzeswerk gibt Anlass zur Sorge vor Zensur und staatlicher Willkür. Es ist ein Rückschritt für Albanien auf dem Weg hin zu europäischen Standards.

Public Service Media in South East Europe: Recommendations for Supervisory Boards and Financing

Upon the invitation of the KAS Media Programme SEE more than 20 media law experts from South East Europe and Germany met and discussed the legal framework of public service media (PSM). During a workshop on 8th October in Tirana, they prepared recommendations for more effective and politically independent composition of the supervisory boards as well as for better funding of PSM in the future. The KAS Media Programme wants thereby and with its upcoming projects to set an impulse for possible reforms of the public service broadcasting systems in South East Europe.

Internship

The KAS Media Program South East Europe, based in Sofia, Bulgaria, is offering 2-3 month internship from May till July 2022.

Hendrik Sittig: „Public Service Media shall not become political pawns!“

The Head of the KAS Media Programme South East Europe live on air with BNR journalist Irina Nedeva

The Media Programme South East Europe of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) has taken a closer look at the current situation and developments of public service media in South East Europe the last couple of months. As result the new book “A pillar of democracy on shaky ground – Public Service Media in South East Europe” has been published.

New Book: A Pillar of Democracy on Shaky Ground – Public Service Media in South East Europe

For the first time, the KAS Media Programme publishes a comprehensive overview on public service media in South East Europe

Strong Majority in South East Europe: Public Service Media Are Important for Democracy

Results of KAS Media Programme’s survey on significance of public service media in ten countries of South East Europe

More than two-thirds of media user say that public service media are important for a democratic society. In the same time, almost 65 percent see the public broadcasters under political influence. These are the results of a current opinion poll in ten countries which are covered by the Media Programme South East Europe of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Sofia.

Independence of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) in danger?

The temporary suspension of a journalist, a five-hour stop and the question of who pulls the strings, where and why

It is the most serious crisis in the Bulgarian media landscape for a long time. For several days, the Bulgarian National Radio rules the headlines. The temporary transfer of a longtime presenter shows the political influence on the work of public service broadcasting in Bulgaria. The protest of colleagues and listeners, however, shows the awareness of being able to defend against it.