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Online Conference: Media in South East Europe during the Corona Pandemic

by Dobrina Trifonova
What is the journalists’ daily routine in time of the corona pandemic? How do the new restrictions in state of emergency influence our democracy? How do citizens react to the information overload? Willing to answer these questions, the Media Programme South East Europe of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation organised its first online conference. Ten journalists from South East Europe as well as “Reporters without Borders Germany” took part in it, commented the situation in their countries and shared experience with colleagues from the region.

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The state of emergency due to the corona crisis prevails all over the region. The strategy of most of the South East European countries is marked by rather tight restrictions. The curfews in various states are just one example.

The new limitations have impact on the daily routine of everyone, including the media: newspaper publishing houses remain closed, staff cuts are to be expected. Due to the staff shortage the work of TV editorials is compromised and productions are put on hold. However, during the online conference the journalists indicated increased volume of work for well-established media and fact-checking organisations. Various citizens turn to them with questions, concerns and complaints, because the pandemic caused a wave of disinformation and thus, of uncertainty. Furthermore, the COVID-19 crisis is used for political purposes in order to promote certain narrative. This is notable in countries in the region, where elections are planned this year (e.g. Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania).

The time of pandemic needs new rules, there is no doubt in that. However, those should not cause any violations of human rights, media freedom or digital rights. Some measures introduced in state of emergency may fight against disinformation and spread of panic on paper, but could lead also fast to limitation of those freedoms. One example is the controversial case of Serbian journalist Ana Lalic, who was short-time arrested with the accusation of spread of panic after reporting about the conditions of a clinical centre in Novi Sad. Serbia and Moldova are the countries where attempts for drastic limitations of the media freedom have happened. The media in Moldova should publish official statements only, for instance made by the government or the World Health Organization. According to a newly introduced rule in Serbia, only the prime minister and the emergency unit could inform the public about COVID-19. Both regulations were withdrawn after massive criticism. Nevertheless, this situation brought intimidation and questioned the safety of journalists.

The press conferences of the emergency units in the region are often the only source of information for journalists. In a regional overview they are held in some cases several times per day and are live broadcasted. The participants in the online conference commented that on one hand this promotes the “patriotic journalism” of mainstream media. On the other hand, the self-censorship of independent media and such critical to the government rises. Another worrying trend in South East Europe is the currently slowing procedure for access of information. This can be observed in Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria. The time limit for an answer of such applications doubled for certain state institutions.

Despite the isolation, the society have to stay awake and active, and react fast against injustice. NGOs are also needed. A positive example comes from North Macedonia, where the Association of Journalists will provide protective clothing for journalists in the next days and plans to offer psychological support for media representatives as well.

To find a balance between securing the health and the currently shrinking fundamental rights is a great challenge for the responsible politicians and the society altogether. The online conference showed that the journalists were allied and aware of their essential role in the time of crisis. Pluralism should not be compromised and facts should be even more questioned, so that trust of citizens in media can be justified.

For the KAS Media Programme South East Europe and the participating journalists this pilot online conference was a very fruitful and useful exchange. Further online formats are planned for the future – although there is great hope to offer seminars and conferences in the traditional manner soon.

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