"From 1995 to 2005, the international community provided significant support to media in the Western Balkans. Based on a meta-analysis of 37 project reports and interviews with a broad range of media experts, this study finds that direct support to independent media was a key factor in helping the citizens of several Balkan countries to rid themselves of authoritarian regimes. At the same time, the publication states that often journalism training - the greatest share of media support - has had few lasting effects. Support for legislative and regulatory reform has been efficient and effective, but the new media legislation has not been sufficiently well implemented. The overall conclusion (page 36): 'Media assistance in the Balkans proved itself an effective way to promote democracy by removing barriers to the enjoyment of fundamental rights to information and expression as protected by international law, and without intervening in political choices themselves. When media support was perceived as being primarily driven by political objectives, it was in danger of being like the problem it sought to alleviate and obscuring the concept of independent media." (CAMECO Update 1-2008)
Executive summary, 10
1 Goals and objectives of media support, 16
2 Direct support for media and for content, 19
3 The reform of legal and regulatory frameworks, 25
4 Support for training and education, 28
5 Support for media institutions, 31
6 Conclusions and recommendations, 34
Appendix I: Interviewees, 39
Appendix II: Overview of new media legislation in each country, 41
Appendix III: Evaluations reviewed, 43