Strengthening Media Freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia: Reflections on the closing conference

In September 2024, the Strengthening Media Freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia project concluded with a regional conference recognising four years of progress in advancing collaboration between journalists and the judiciary across the Western Balkans.

As Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, Executive Director of the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC), stated:

Independent journalism and a trustworthy judiciary are pillars of a democratic society. Through our cooperation, we have sought to bridge gaps and protect those who deliver truth to the public.

The conference, organised by the NHC and Free Press Unlimited (FPU), with support from the Association of Journalists of Macedonia, drew over 70 journalists, judiciary representatives, and advocates, affirming the project’s achievements in strengthening these democratic pillars and discussing ways to move forward.

Bridging Journalism and Judiciary for Public Trust

In her opening remarks, H.E. Özlem Canel, Dutch Ambassador to North Macedonia, spoke on the value of transparency and collaboration between journalists and the judiciary, two “watchdogs of democracy.” She emphasised that media and judicial collaboration is essential for an informed public, adding:

Journalism is a public good… journalists should always be able to do their work without fear of being attacked and silenced.

This dialogue, she noted, is especially critical given the growing concerns of shrinking civic spaces and increasing misinformation in the region.

Project Achievements and Impact

Since its inception, the Strengthening Media Freedom project has forged a unique partnership between media and judiciary communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia, showcasing the collaborative dedication of Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) and regional partners in promoting the safety of journalists, media freedom, and institutional transparency. The project brought together regional partners to develop protocols and mechanisms that tackle journalists’ safety concerns and encourage judicial openness. This collaborative effort has led to significant advancements, such as recent amendments to North Macedonia’s Criminal Code, which now classifies attacks on journalists as offenses against public officials—an important milestone in the region’s legal protections for media professionals.

Strategic Lawsuits and the Challenge of Impunity

The conference also highlighted the pressing issue of SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), which threaten independent journalism by burdening journalists with expensive, lengthy legal battles. Joeri Buhrer Tavanier emphasised the NHC’s stance against SLAPPs, stating that they are “a clear form of intimidation used to silence critical voices, undermining not only media freedom, but democracy itself.” Bojan Elek, Project Manager with Serbia’s Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK), shared his team’s experiences with SLAPPs, noting the heavy psychological and financial toll they inflict on smaller newsrooms like his, making it difficult to continue investigative reporting​.

In a session dedicated to tackling impunity, the conference addressed the importance of bringing perpetrators to justice as a deterrent against future attacks. Jasmijn de Zeeuw from Free Press Unlimited emphasised:

We investigate cold cases of journalist murders because we cannot let the story die… They guard our access to information and stick their neck out against corruption, crime, and abuse of power.

The commitment to tackling impunity is part of the NHC’s ongoing mission to support legal frameworks that protect those who expose injustice.

Sustaining the Gains: A Path Forward

Reflecting on the journey, the conference underscored the need for sustained collaboration to maintain these achievements. Participants acknowledged the impact of the project’s training and institutional support, which helped establish direct communication channels between journalists and judicial representatives. However, challenges remain, particularly in gaining greater judiciary openness toward journalists covering public-interest cases​.

As the conference closed, participants reaffirmed their commitment to a transparent media landscape and judicial system. The project partners shared the understanding for a need to continue and increase reach, and to expand this cooperative model to additional Balkan countries while continuing to foster an environment where journalism and judiciary are strengthened in tandem.

The Strengthening Media Freedom project has left a powerful legacy of collaboration, security, and democratic integrity, ensuring that journalists and the judiciary continue to work together in protecting the public’s right to know.

Read the conference Press Release and Outcome Statement here.