Forty journalists and editors from across South East Europe (SEE) gathered in Sarajevo on 15-16 October to talk about their role in profiling the region as a place of tolerance and European values. They concluded that the region needs the media to shape this new image, promote greater journalistic responsibility and maintenance of highest possible professional standards.

The conclusion was reached at the end of a two-day workshop 'Building a New South East Europe – Role and Potential of the Media' organized in Sarajevo by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, with support of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event was opened by RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic, who said that holding to basic journalistic principles of accuracy, truth, integrity, balance and impartiality in informing and educating the public was one way of contributing to the progress in the region, while bringing European ideas closer to the people of South East Europe would further the culture of dialogue and tolerance. “This is essential for social stability as a platform for general development of our countries, particularly after the dramatic events of recent past.”

The journalists and editors discussed various aspects of journalistic profession, including journalistic standards, ethics, independence, education, working conditions, and influence of new technologies on the media profession. They agreed that the media should take upon themselves a greater role in stabilizing SEE societies, as well as stimulate debate on issues related to EU institutions and the accession process. Colleagues from Brussels shared their perspective in reporting on and informing about EU affairs.

The participants invited EU institutions to invest further efforts in communicating EU to the journalists and citizens of South East Europe so that they can better understand the impacts of the often complex EU content on the lives of citizens. Finally, it was agreed to explore the ways of organizing opportunities for journalists to develop their professional skills and expertise on EU affairs, stimulate further networking, and hold such events on a regular basis.

The speakers included Vildana Selimbegović, Editor-in-Chief of the Oslobođenje daily, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Lutfi Dervishi, journalist and media analyst, Albania; Alexandros Koronakis, Editor-in-Chief of the Brussels New Europe weekly; Sándor Orbán, Executive Director of the South East European Network for Profession­alization of Media; Đorđe Vlajić, BBC correspondent, Serbia; and Ioana Avadani, Executive Director of the Romanian Centre for Independent Journalism.

Margaritis Schinas, Advisor to the Director General at the DG Communication of the European Commission – the institution that also supported the event, and Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Gary D. Robbins, took part in the workshop.

The conclusions and other event documents are available at the websites of the Regional Cooperation Council (www.rcc.int) and the OSCE Mission (www.oscebih.org).