Launched Balkan Alliance for Local Media – “Call for Change” Published

The launch of this alliance marks a turning point for journalism in the region, reflecting the increasing need for collaboration among small newsrooms that play a crucial role in informing local communities across the Balkans.

BALM has also published a Call for Change, a document urging international donors, media development organizations, the broader community of civil society organizations, and decision-makers in the region and the EU to reconsider the ways in which support for media in the Balkans is designed and implemented.

The call reflects experiences gained over years of fragmented project support for media and a growing consensus that the true sustainability of independent journalism requires trust, stability, and shared responsibility between donors and media actors.

The Call for Change seeks concrete shifts in practice: a focus on multi-year institutional support that covers basic costs so that small newsrooms can plan their operations and development; simplified administrative procedures tailored to their capacities; rapid response funds for emergencies when journalists face threats, as well as other forms of security support, from legal assistance (including SLAPP lawsuits) to digital security and mental health support.

The appeal also advocates for dedicated support lines for local, minority, and community media, with realistic application conditions and small grant programs for those just starting a media outlet, as well as funding that supports daily reporting and regular columns—not just one-off projects.

Equally important is how the support is designed: we seek a participatory model of cooperation between donors and media, where they jointly set priorities, monitor progress together, and adapt approaches along the way.

Finally, the Call advocates for the development of realistic business models that cater to small and segmented markets—without compromising editorial independence.

Why this is important: Every day, local media in divided and marginalized communities across the Balkans provide crucial information to their communities. However, they operate under increasingly difficult conditions, which directly affect community access to reliable news: they face harassment, threats, and physical attacks, SLAPP lawsuits, attempts at political and economic control, as well as an ever more unstable political environment marked by rising social polarization, nationalism, and authoritarianism.

The risk of "information deserts": As these pressures intensify, more and more communities are left without independent local journalism. The consequence is simple and serious: communities lose access to timely, locally relevant information.

BALM emphasizes that resilient local journalism is essential for social cohesion, government accountability, and informed democratic participation, particularly in multilingual and marginalized communities.

The "Call for Change" is not directed solely at donors—it is a call to rethink how we value and support journalism that truly serves local communities. Supporting small independent media means supporting these communities and their democratic development.

We invite all relevant stakeholders at the national, regional, and European levels to engage in this discussion and join us on a shared path toward change—so that communities across the Balkans can rely on credible information when they need it most.

How to get involved:

• Learn more about the Alliance: https://balkanlocalmedia.org/about-us/
• Read the Call for Change: https://balkanlocalmedia.org/call-for-change/
• Check out stories from members: https://balkanlocalmedia.org/stories-list/

Contact: Balkan Alliance for Local Media (BALM) — hello@balkanlocalmedia.org | https://balkanlocalmedia.org/