Ensuring information pluralism and a healthy media landscape is an increasingly challenging task for media regulators. To encourage regional cooperation among regulatory authorities in the Western Balkans, a peer exchange was organised in Budva, Montenegro on 25-26 June 2024. The event provided a platform for these authorities to discuss pressing issues, urgent challenges, and identify ways to develop a coordinated response.

“When we join forces to fight misinformation, we are stronger as we represent millions of users.”

Representatives from regulatory authorities thoroughly discussed their roles and capacities in combating the pervasive issue of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation in the media, as well as regulating harmful content. Relevant Council of Europe standards, including the Guidance Note on Countering the Spread of Online Mis- and Disinformation, and the Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)12 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on electoral communication and media coverage of election campaigns, as well as the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), were discussed. The UK regulatory authority OFCOM also shared its experiences, particularly focusing on addressing harmful mis-information across broadcast and online media in the context of electoral campaigns.

The peer exchange fostered a cohesive and coordinated strategy for combating disinformation across the Western Balkans, promoting knowledge sharing and good practice. It was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, under the regional action "Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in the Western Balkans (PRO-FREX)," part of the joint programme of the European Union and Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye 2023-2026."