The limitations brought by the global pandemic did not break the spirit of the annual South East Europe Media Forum (SEEMF), which took place in a new and hybrid format on 22 October 2020. This year’s event, titled “(Re)Think the Digital Reliability of the media, economic aspects of the pandemic, sustainable digital transitions in South East and Central Europe”, combined online coverage with “live” in-person attendance in seven locations, according to Covid-19 security regulations: Belgrade (Serbia), Fažana (Croatia), Podgorica (Montenegro), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Sofia (Bulgaria), Tirana (Albania) and Trieste (Italy).
Regional and international media experts debated topics of relevance for the media in the time of the pandemic, in particular the role of reliable information in preventing the growing influence of fake news and disinformation, the financial struggles affecting media outlets, alternative digital formats and ways for attracting young audiences.
CEI Deputy Secretary General Nina Kodelja welcomed the participants emphasising that “cooperation in the field of media has been and remains one of the CEI priorities in line with the overall strategy of promoting European integration and sustainable development through regional cooperation”.
The SEEMF is one of the major media events in Central and Eastern Europe promoting exchanges and networking among media executives and leading journalists. Co-hosted by SEEMO, the KAS Media Program South East Europe and the CEI, it boasts cooperation with relevant partners such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the South East and Central Europe PR Organisation (SECEPRO), the International Institute – International Media Center (II-IMC) and the International Academy.
More than 280 registered participants followed this year’s Forum (online and in the local hubs) with additional participants through free streaming.
From Trieste, CEI’s Senior Executive Officer Barbara Fabro presented the renown CEI SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism to the winners: the Italian Cecilia Anesi for the category “Professional Journalists” and the Serbian Natalija Jovanovic for the category “Young Professional Journalists” while Esmeralda Keta from Albania received a special mention.
The SEEMF is a CEI Feature Event supported by the CEI Cooperation Fund.
For more info: fabro@cei.int