"The purpose of this study is to identify the current state of regulatory frameworks governing social media platforms and online media, as well as the main challenges related to the moderation and curation of verified public interest information on these media platforms. The target countries that are covered in the research are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Türkiye and Serbia. Part I of this study provides a comprehensive and comparative regional mapping of the existing regulatory frameworks and mechanisms governing social media platforms and online media in the target countries from the Western Balkans and Türkiye. It maps the existing legislative, regulatory, and self-regulatory frameworks, along with other mechanisms, such as fact-checking programs related to online content moderation and curation. This section examines current legislative frameworks for online and social media, as well as those regulating illegal and potentially harmful content, analysing their potential impact on freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom in the region.
Part II offers a comparative and comprehensive analysis of the moderation and curation of journalistic content – particularly public interest journalism – on social media platforms in the target countries from the Western Balkans and Türkiye. It explores mechanisms and experiences related to the moderation and curation of journalistic content on these platforms, with a focus on public interest journalism (considering press codes and codes of ethics), and examines how content moderation and curation impact media freedoms. This part is based on questionnaires and interviews with media outlets and journalists and investigates their experiences in publishing and using social media, including cases where journalistic content was flagged, actioned upon, or taken down. The study includes recommendations in line with international human rights standards, freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedoms." (Foreword)