Politics
Enhancing support for media freedom and media development in the Western Balkans, particularly in the areas of media responsibility, funding, regional cooperation and the role of young journalists. This is one of the main conclusions of the conference “EU-Western Balkans Media Days”, held on 17-18 September in Skopje (Macedonia). “Media freedom is of crucial importance, also for further progress on the EU path”, said EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, speaking at the forum. In his opinion, “there has not been much progress in media freedom in the Western Balkans”. Strong emphasis was put on young journalists and the possibility of supporting their training in the context of regional initiatives with a view to preventing threats and attacks against journalists and to strengthening independent media. Moreover, in his meeting with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Commissioner Hahn called on Macedonians to participate in the Balkan country’s name-change referendum on 30 September. “The referendum is not pro or against certain political parties – he said -; it should be seen as a national cross party objective to improve the lives of citizens”.
