Safe Journalists researcher Ms. Bino actively participated in the 10th South East Europe Media Conference, hosted by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) in Sarajevo on 29–30 May 2025. Held under the theme “Actioning Media Viability for Informed, Resilient Societies,” the conference brought together around 130 journalists, media experts, civil society actors, policymakers, and academics to discuss sustainable, independent journalism.
In his opening remarks, OSCE RFoM Ambassador Jan Braathu emphasized the broad societal importance of media freedom, highlighting its role in participatory democracy and security.
Dr. Blerjana Bino, Co-founder and Executive Director of SCiDEV Center and researcher of the Safe Journalists Network, was a featured speaker on the panel “Putting the Media Viability Manifesto into Action.” Moderated by OSCE Senior Adviser Guido Keel, the session addressed the application of key principles like conceptual clarity, strategic collaboration, and practical implementation.
Dr. Bino outlined systemic issues threatening media viability in South-East Europe, including fragile economies, opaque media ownership linked to political and business interests, and reduced international donor support—a “donor drought” that leaves media increasingly vulnerable. She warned of media being co-opted into power struggles, deepening societal polarization.
She also discussed the disruptive impact of Big Tech and generative AI on journalism, underscoring the urgent need for innovation and citizen-focused reporting, especially in underserved local communities.
Highlighting the importance of journalist safety, Dr. Bino emphasized that without secure, sustainable working conditions and professional growth opportunities, long-term media viability remains unattainable. She advocated for stronger regional coalitions, citing successful examples like the SafeJournalists Network and the South-East Europe Digital Rights Network.
Other panelists included Elena Milliken (DW Akademie), Darko Dimitrijević (Radio Goraždevac), and Peter Erdelyi (Center for Sustainable Media), who shared insights on operational resilience, local challenges, and EU funding access.
Ambassador Braathu urged local media to reduce donor dependency by fostering deeper community ties. The session concluded with a call for coordinated, regional efforts to improve media resilience.
The conference closed by emphasizing the need for protective measures for journalists, media benchmarks in EU accession, and greater youth engagement.
