The Reports, produced as part of the third edition of the research project Transnational Advocacy for Freedom of Information in the Balkans (ATLIB), co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, were launched during a webinar on Wednesday 8 July which brought together Italian and European institutional stakeholders, journalists, researchers, civil society organisations, and partners from the Western Balkans region.

The webinar featured Embassy Counsellor Thomas Botzios from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Irena Joveva, member of the European Parliament for the Renew Europe Group, Tamara Filipović, coordinator of the SafeJournalist network, Getoarbë Mulliqi, Executive Director of AJK, Lamija Kovačević, researcher at Mediacentar Sarajevo, and Massimo Moratti, senior researcher at OBCT.

The participants discussed the reports’ main findings, focusing on the developments that have affected media freedom in 2025 and in the first half of 2026, including safety concerns, political and institutional pressures, developments in the legal framework, and the importance of aligning reforms with European Union standards under Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.

Later in autumn, partner organisations of the ATLIB project will organise national presentations, one in Prishtina and one in Sarajevo, which will be an occasion to engage with local stakeholders and provide decision makers with updates and recommendations to move forward and strengthen the reform processes.

The Shadow Reports can be downloaded from the project page: Transnational Advocacy for Freedom of Information in the Western Balkans ATLIB 3