In December 2012, UNESCO and the European Commission launched a project about media accountability in South East Europe. Its implementation started in January 2013 and will last 36 months. The European Commission has contributed 500, 000 Euros to enhance media freedom in the region through the strengthening of ethical and professional standards in journalism.

“This project is a follow up to an already productive engagement in the promotion of freedom of expression in the region for both organizations, EU and UNESCO. It will involve press councils and media associations and it will help to strengthen self-regulatory mechanisms”, said Ingve Engström, Head of Regional Programmes Unit of the Directorate General for Enlargement of the European Commission at the signature ceremony. “The selected countries have suffered from a lack of transparency in their media sectors, often resulting in limitations in journalists’ freedom.  The application of high professional standards will give media a new credibility.”

This project concerns both traditional and online media. It promotes self-regulation by the media as well as awareness raising activities about issues of media accountability among the civil society. Training about Freedom of Information legislation will also be provided to journalists in the partner countries.

Both UNESCO and the EU have declared freedom of expression to be a strategic priority in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2012 to enhance cooperation between them.