USAID

ProMedia II - Serbia

Program Overview

Media in Serbia

Download Promedia II - Serbia Information Sheet

Media Sustainability Index (MSI) 2006: Serbia

Request for Grant Applications

Application Deadline: March 15, 2008

The ProMedia II Serbia program is pleased to announce an open competition for small grants to Serbian media outlets and individual journalists for specialized reporting projects. Read More

IREX has supported independent media in Serbia since 1997. Through training, consulting, and small grants, IREX works to support the development of the skills and capacity of independent Serbian media organizations and journalists. The goal is to enable them to become self-sustaining and offer the citizens of Serbia balanced and comprehensive news and information. IREX currently implements the ProMedia II Program in Serbia, funded by USAID.

KEY ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES

Support independent media in Serbia to provide citizens with the balanced and unbiased news and information necessary to participate in democratic and free market institutions

PROJECT RESULTS

More than $3 million in grants distributed to Serbian media outlets and organizations
Strengthened Serbian media training institutions to operate at international standards.
Training provided to more than 2,000 journalists.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Professional Journalism Training and Support: IREX provides training and on-site consulting to improve the quality of independent journalism and news production to promote and support democratic principles. Training is also targeted at developing national and local journalism capacity in order to create a strong core of professional journalists who produce objective and balanced news, and adequately cover a wide range of topics and issues of interest to their audiences. IREX also supports coverage of the International Criminal Tribunal of the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) by Serbian media as the rule of law and ethnic reconciliation are important parts of the democratic transition in Serbia.
News Production and Information Distribution: To benefit from independent journalism, citizens must have access to a variety of news sources. IREX helps to improve the plurality of media and the media’s ability to distribute news and information within the framework of the new licensing and frequency laws, improve news agencies’ abilities to serve clients, and provide equipment upgrades to media outlets to support a more efficient production process.
Legal and Regulatory Reform for Media: A supportive legal and regulatory environment allows media to operate without fear of censorship, harassment, or other undue pressures on their editorial policies. IREX works closely with independent Serbian media, associations, and organizations, combining direct consulting on media law reform with support to develop the local capacity to lobby for reform and defend the rights of journalists. IREX, with pro bono legal assistance from US-based law firm Covington & Burling LLP, has helped shape media legislation in Serbia and throughout the region.
Business and Financial Management: IREX provides training and on-site consulting designed to move Serbian media outlets towards financial sustainability to survive in the marketplace, particularly given the weakness of the Serbia economy. Outlets develop strategic plans, use market research to improve sales and marketing, and attract a maximum amount of advertising revenue through targeted promotions and scheduling.

E-mail this page