"It is a simple fact that it is hard to find reliable information on the media in South Eastern Europe. The 'South East Europe Media Handbook' bridges this gap in a unique way and offers basic information about the situation of the media in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro/Kosovo, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine. It hereby supports the better understanding of the particular situation of the media in the countries of South Eastern Europe. On the other hand, it gives a very good overview and provides a useful database of all important media in South Eastern Europe. Last but not least it is an outstanding source of information regarding press freedom violations in the past year. Once again I want to emphasize that the media are the agents of democracy. Hence it is very important to encourage the governments in the region to establish safe working conditions for journalists and this is one of the basic objectives of this handbook." (Erhard Busek, Special Coordinator Stability Pact for Eastern Europe, page XI).

"All country reports foolow the same structure: 1. brief introduction to the political and economic framework; 2. media development in 2005: media landscape and ownership; reporting in the media/media ethics/hate speech; legal situation/media laws/working conditions/taxes; press freedom/violations of rights of journalists/court cases/cases with journalists and media; 3. address directory of selected media (television, radio, daily newspapers, weekly newspapers and magazines, news agencies, media organizations). The length of the individual country contributions varies between 30 pages (Albania) and 80 pages (Turkey)." (commbox)