OSCE South East Europe Media Conference “Strengthening Journalism as a Public Good”

Journalism stands at the heart of open and democratic societies, serving as a public good that informs citizens, holds power to account and strengthens societal resilience. Yet, in today’s increasingly fragmented information landscape — driven by rapid technological shifts, economic strain and evolving security challenges — free, independent and safe journalism is under growing pressure. Without strong support for quality journalism, societies risk deeper polarization, eroding public trust and a weakening of the democratic fabric itself.

Organized by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) in co-operation with OSCE field operations in the region, this year’s South East Europe Media Conference (SEEMC) will take place in Tirana on 18 and 19 May 2026 under the theme “Strengthening Journalism as a Public Good.” 

It will feature a diverse range of sessions — including panel discussions, roundtables, workshops, debates, film screenings and side events — providing practical insights and real-world examples addressing topical challenges to media freedom and safety of journalists. 

Key themes include: 

• Safety of journalists — accountability measures, including criminal law approaches 
• Ethical journalism in times of societal polarization
• Digital surveillance and journalists’ rights — balancing security considerations with media freedom
• Journalists’ mental health and support systems 
• Media ownership transparency in practice — comparative regional analysis
• Regional implementation of the RFoM policy manual on Safeguarding Media Freedom in the Age of Big Tech Platforms and AI 
• Investigative journalism — case studies, practical tips and tools
• Media and information literacy — practical applications for informed audiences and mapping regional curricula

Over the course of two days, the SEEMC will serve as a platform for networking, exchange and co-operation among media practitioners, experts, policymakers, and relevant authorities from across the region and beyond. It will place a strong emphasis on sharing practical experiences and identifying actionable approaches to strengthen journalism as a public good, in line with OSCE commitments on media freedom and freedom of expression.

Follow the conference and engage with leading media freedom experts on RFoM’s social media accounts:

using the hashtag #SEEMC2026.