The prospect and development of public service media: Comparative study of PSB development in Western Balkans in light of EU integration

In the 2014-2016 period, Center for Social Research Analitika, in cooperation with University of Fribourg, is implementing the project "The Prospect and Development of Public Service Media: Comparative Study of PSB Development in Western Balkans in Light of EU Integration“.

The process of media transformation from state to public broadcasting in Western Balkan countries has faced many obstacles and problems. PSBs were created in order to formally satisfy the requirements of EU integration. On the other hand, the politicization of the state, the subordination of the media to government for the sake of accomplishing economic goals, and strong clientelistic ties - to name a few - resulted in a failure to produce an environment conducive to independent public service media. Due to the lack of independence and financial stability, their expected role and existence have been continuously questioned.

This project investigates the position, role, functioning, and the future of public service broadcasters in six countries in the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia, taking into account the specific context in which these services developed and the role the European Union played in these processes.

The research will yield a comprehensive and systematic comparative analysis of the current status and future development of PSBs in the region, considering the challenges of further harmonization of legislation in line with the EU standards, economic and market demands, as well as the challenges digitalization brings.

The project is financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation, through the SCOPES (Scientific cooperation between Eastern Europe and Switzerland) programme.

Project duration: 24 months (01/07/2014 - 30/06/2016)