This publication is based on the results of the project “Labor Relations and Media:
Analyzing patterns of labor relations in the media of SEENPM member countries.”

The project, which was coordinated by the Independent Journalism Center-Moldova, aimed to evaluate the observance of labor laws in the media sector of South East European Network for Professionalization of the Media (SEENPM) member countries, to identify problems in the way labor laws are applied to so-called “typical” and “atypical” employees, to propose solutions for the problems identified and to share best practices throughout the region.

The following target groups were identified:

• fully-employed staff of TV and radio stations, newspapers, news agencies and online
publications;
• freelancers working for various media organizations;
• managers of news outlets;
• trade union representatives;
• non-government media organizations;
• media regulators.

The SEENPM centers participating in the project were the Albanian Media Institute (Albania); the Center for Independent Journalism (Hungary); the Center for Independent Journalism (Romania); the International Center for Education of Journalists (Croatia); the Macedonian Institute for Media (Macedonia); the Media Center (Bosnia-Herzegovina); the Media Center (Serbia); the Media Development Center (Bulgaria); the Montenegro Media Institute (Montenegro) and the Peace Institute (Slovenia).

In-depth studies involving extensive primary and secondary research were carried out by the following country reporters:

• Boljkovac-Borkovic, Marinka, Secretary, Trade Union of Croatian Journalists, Zagreb;
• Danov, Danail, Program Director, Media Development Center, Sofia;
• Hodzic, Sanela, Research Assistant, Mediacenter, Sarajevo;
• Jurancic, Iztok, President, Union of Slovenian Journalists, Ljubljana;
• Komnenic, Petar, Journalist, Independent Weekly Monitor, Podgorica;
• Kozul, Dejan, Journalist and Media Researcher, Independent Journalists’ Association of
Serbia (IJAS) and Kujundzic, Lidija, President, Union of Serbian Journalists - Union of
NIN, Belgrade;
• Londo, Ilda, Research Coordinator, Albanian Media Institute, Tirana;
• Marciuc, Alexei, Director, Informational Policy Institute, Chisinau;
• Mihis, Mihaela, Lawyer and Legal Researcher, Bucharest;
• Misev, Vladimir, Executive Director, Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis,” Skopje;
• Tóth, Borbála, Media Researcher, Center for Independent Journalism, Budapest.

Country reports focus on the legislation regulating labor relations in the media, the implementation of the legislation in practice (including the current status of typical and atypical media workers), censorship and self-censorship as an effect of labor relations as well as the existence and effectiveness of journalists’ trade unions. An important part of each report is the section on conclusions and recommendations which includes a general evaluation of the state of labor relations as well as proposals for major stakeholders with a view to improving the situation.

In addition to a country-by-country analysis, the present study also features a regional overview produced by Neva Nahtigal, media and labor relations analyst, Ljubljana. It provides a general context for the issues addressed including an analysis of major trends and policies in labor relations throughout the region and a study of relevant international treaties and directives. Key challenges facing media workers in SEENPM countries are reviewed, and specific patterns within the region are highlighted. Similar to the country reports, the regional overview contains a set of recommendations for major stakeholders.

Financial support for the project has been provided by International Media Support in Denmark.

Download the full report here.