Socio-political context
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Heavy political influence over media outlets that
results with lack of freedom of speech, limited
independence, biased media, censorship and
self-censorship.
Lack of solidarity among representatives of
media and CSO community on all levels.
Lack of trust in the publics of these two sectors.
RECOMMENDATIONS


Less political interference through: proper nonselective law implementation, independent state
regulatory body, clear criteria for distributing
governmental campaigns, laws in line with
requirements of OSCE and CoE
Creating and supporting self-regulatory body
(e.g. press council) composed of
representatives of media ownership, journalists
and representatives of relevant CSOs.
Cont'd - RECOMMENDATIONS

Fostering common joint actions through
concrete activities that will increase the level of
trust among media and CSO representatives.
Institutional framework
PROBLEMS

Regulation of media practices and
governance

Implementation & legislative gaps

Transparency

Distribution of public funds
RECOMMENDATIONS

Regulation: Create forum for interaction between
media and CSOs at regional or national level to
attempt to find consensus about priorities and act
jointly. Forum will act as a hub for regular
monitoring/implementation of relevant laws and
regulations in society in respective countries.
(Institutional mechanism of cooperation between
media and CSOs). On the regional level, need to
create structure for exchanging best practices on
media/CSO cooperation enabling environment for
development of media and CSOs.
Cont'd RECOMMENDATIONS

Legislative gaps: Develop/change regulation which will
secure independent governance of public
broadcasting services (majority of governing body
should be representative of CSOs which are not
dominantly financed from public funds). EU
Commission needs to develop strategy with precise
indicators and results for support for media
development in Enlargement region. Improve
implementation of principles and standards of
journalism.
Cont'd RECOMMENDATIONS


Transparency: Implementation/reform of the
regulation on obliging CSOs and media to
provide information about their sources of
funding.
Distribution of public funds: Changing or
development of regulation aiming to establish
fund with clear criteria for distribution for public
outreach campaigns.
Capacity of media
CHALLENGES

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Understanding the role and the potential that
CSOs have
Lack of public interest journalism and NGO
topics
Understaffing and limited resources
Social role of the media is almost lost/media as
a tool for creating profit
RECOMMENDATIONS




Establish education on different levels for
journalism students, media owners, workers.
Joint ventures (watchdogs, advisory groups,
media related projects, etc.)
Training of CSOs on media literacy, avoid
project language
Building the trust by double-checking/monitoring
the CSO as a source of information
Con't - RECOMMENDATIONS



Increase cooperation with CSO by opening
alternative channels (no cost) of communication
Joint projects
Redefining the role of media to increase the
level of social responsibility (CSO topics=public
interest topics=media hook)
Capacity of CSOs
CHALLENGES


Promotion of CSO ideas in the public
Low sustainability in terms of financial and
human resources
RECOMMENDATIONS

Visibility planning, not when the project is
finalized, but during the design phase of the
project.

Institutional support for CSOs

Support not-for-profit media.

More partnerships between media and CSOs.

Use of social media for raising awareness of
CSO activities.
Cont'd - RECOMMENDATIONS

Bring discussion on CSOs and media into the
educational system – perhaps via civic
education and media literacy.