In its annual Press Freedom Index report, ranking 180 countries worldwide based on their level of media freedom, and journalists’ safety, Reporters Without Borders informs that the media conditions in some Central and South East Europe countries deteriorated amid coronavirus pandemic in 2020. In Serbia (93), the legislation limited press freedom; the Government controlled the media; and journalists were verbally attacked. In Albania (83), the Government controlled the independent TV channels, while in Montenegro (104), the investigative reporter continued to be prosecuted. In BiH (58) and Kosovo (78), media remained divided along ethnic lines. Senior government officials in N.Macedonia (90) continued insulting media outlets, and there was cyber-harassment against journalists on social media. In Turkey (153) government controlling 90 percent of the national media, used censorship and discriminatory practices against the critics. Find more information about the rest of the Balkan countries here.
Source: Reporters Without Borders