Western Balkans
For three decades, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been active in the countries of the Western Balkans, supporting them on their path to a united Europe. Out of its project office in Belgrade, the foundation coordinates its political and civil society work and consulting in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia. Together with domestic partners from politics and civil society, the foundation works specifically on the topics of human and civil rights, digital and open society, democracy and the rule of law, as well as on embracing European values and standards in the framework of the EU integration process.
News
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Empowering Istrian women to empower themselves
The Women’s Club of the liberal party „Istrian Democratic Assembly“ (IDS), established as official body of the party in 2013, organized a workshop to consider how the members can actively work to improve the situation for Istrian women. It was only fitting that the meeting was held during the start of the Carnival season, when symbolically everybody puts his or her old behavioural patterns and roles behind, striving to reach new goals and to set new frontiers. So did the Women’s Club.
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"Istina" - A Cinematic Lens on Human Rights
"Istina," a narrative short film produced by the Hamburg Media School and backed by the Western Balkans office of the foundation, portrays the harrowing journey of a Serbian photojournalist and her daughter fleeing right-wing extremism. More than just a story, the film mirrors the threats that journalists and activists face, highlighting the pressing issues in Serbia and beyond.
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Media Audit 2023: Uncovering the relevance & importance of media in Serbia
The study “Media Audit 2023 - Recognizing the relevance and importance of the media”, which was conducted by Serbian media-watchdog CRTA and co-financed by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, sheds light on the media landscape in Serbia, the media consumption of its population and the trust of Serbian citizens in the media.
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Election in the shadow of an all-powerful president
When the citizens of Serbia are called upon to elect a new parliament on Sunday, over sixty percent of those eligible to vote think they are voting on their president, Aleksandar Vučić. Although he is not up for election at all, he is omnipresent both in the public debate and in the public sphere.
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Oscar-winning short film “Istina” screened in Belgrade
The short film “Istina” (Truth), the production of which was financially supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, was screened for the first time in Serbia. The fictional movie is about a photojournalist from Belgrade who is threatened by right-wing extremist thugs and flees to Germany with her daughter. “Istina” won a bronze medal at the 50th Student Academy Awards/Student Oscars® on 26th October.
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Supporting Quality Journalism to Safeguard Democracy
Are journalists still the fourth branch of power, or have they become vicarious agents of the powerful? How should media professionals deal with politics and with politicians when PR is oftentimes perceived to be more important than substance? Is a good story an instrument to transfer a message to the reader, or a goal in itself which brings appreciation and prizes to journalists?
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Playing with fire
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have been boiling up again since last week. The trigger was a suspected terrorist attack by Kosovo Serbs in northern Kosovo, which is interpreted diametrically differently by the Serbian and Kosovar sides. This is not the first time in the relationship between Serbia and its former southern province that an event has been perceived or instrumentalized in completely different ways.