Media freedom, independence, and pluralism are fundamental pillars of European democracies. Freedom of speech and journalists' safety is crucial for countries such as Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia that aspire to join the EU. Thanks to the cooperation with local partners, this project intends to contribute to creating a network of Balkan, Italian, and European actors engaged in effective advocacy to protect media freedom in the EU and the countries involved in the integration process.

While the first edition focused on Albania and Serbia, this second edition will investigate media freedom issues in Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Through the exchange of experiences and cooperation in advocacy work together with two local partners - Metamorphosis Foundation in North Macedonia and the Montenegro Media Institute in Montenegro - OBCT will elaborate two shadow reports on the accession negotiations concerning the media sector in the candidate countries, to strengthen the involvement of civil society in the EU accession process focusing on the nexus between media and democracy.