EU enlargement - Do media values and free speech matter?

Tuesday, June 14 / Room Addis Abeba I + II / 11.30 a.m.

In most EU candidate countries and new member states, critical journalists don't necessarily face systematic repression. However, freedom of expression and media is still limited in Southeast Europe – in some countries more and in some countries less. The reasons for this are manifold, but in most countries concentration of media ownership, political interference in the media, exploitation of the media by elites and oligarchs as well as pressure from economic corporations/advertisers are widespread phenomena. Moreover, the rise of new media in the digital age puts traditional media increasingly under pressure and creates economic hardships.

How receptive is the population in Southeast Europe for propaganda in the media? Is there a realistic prospect of quality journalism in transitional countries? And, can the EU successfully insist on media values during the enlargement process, especially in the context of current geopolitical issues and the migration crisis? These questions will be discussed with media representatives and political analysts from Southeast Europe.