Over the past decade, InterMedia has conducted nearly 100 surveys, focus groups, depth interviews and evaluation studies in almost every country in the region, including Bosnia, Bulgaria, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. InterMedia analysis notes that political uncertainty, economic hardships and corruption continue to plague the Balkans. Our research finds unemployment and corruption are the main sources of concern among the population in the region. Lack of security and mounting crime are also seen as critical issues, along with low salaries and lack of rule of law. Observers worry that economic hardships and corruption can render these countries vulnerable to extremism.
Our reporting finds that the Balkan media environment is largely defined by the changing domestic political agendas of each country. Legislation guaranteeing media freedom is in place, but its enforcement is weak due to conflicting political interests. The media are not self-sustainable and are often affiliated with political parties. Journalists continue to be subject to both political and economic pressures despite the existence of legislation guaranteeing media independence. Governments in the region are staggering toward democratic reform of the public broadcast sector, but efforts continue to be mired in local politics. Like other regions around the world, however, InterMedia's quantitative and qualitative research shows new media technologies—internet, cell phones and SMS—are changing the way these populations receive and disburse information about each other, their region and the world at large.
Aneta Genova is Regional Research Manager for Southeastern Europe and the Balkans.