USAID

Serbian Media Assistance Program

Program Overview

2008 Media Sustainability Index (MSI): Serbia

US Agency for International Development (USAID)

IREX has been implementing media programs in Serbia since 1997 under the ProMedia program and now through the USAID-funded Serbian Media Assistance Program. The program strengthens the capacity and legal environment of media organizations in Serbia through training, technical assistance, and small grants.

Key Issues and Objectives:

Ensure that the legal and regulatory environment for media is strong, transparent, effective, and stable.
Increase the managerial and financial capacity of selected partner and other local/regional independent media.
Enhance the quality and availability of information for citizens.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Strengthen the Capacity of Media Support Organizations. IREX will assist professional and industry organizations, develop effective structures, and build credibility and offer valued services. The program will assist these organizations strengthen structurally to embrace their constituencies and be able to work both separately and together to produce results that the industry, civil society and government respect and support.

Improve the Legal and Regulatory Framework. IREX will work with legal and media professionals to address pressing issues facing Serbian media, including privatization and digitalization, licensing, and media laws.

Improve the Management and Financial Capacity of Partner Stations. IREX will work with the European Consulting Group (ECG) to create individualized consulting and training programs for partner stations. A “whole station” approach will be taken, looking across business and editorial functions.

Enhanced quality and quantity of media coverage of reform and other pertinent issues. IREX will have a Special Coverage Initiative Fund for training and subgrants to enhance coverage of specific reform topics such as elections, war crimes, corruption and reconciliation that may require extra resources.

PROJECT HISTORY

IREX offers unmatched understanding of the issues facing Serbian media and Serbia itself built from its decade of work in the country. IREX’s approach to addressing these issues is built on the insights shared by its Serbian partners – their reflections on priorities, vulnerabilities and the strengths on which to build. To this, IREX brings organizational expertise in all aspects of media sector development specific to Serbia and from the broader practice it has developed worldwide and continuously expands as a specialist implementer. In particular, IREX has a record of applying the assistance resources necessary to improve the market sustainability of outlets and assist the growth of effective indigenous advocacy and professional organizations.

Program Contact: For more information about this or other IREX media initiatives e-mail media@irex.org.