The role of alternative news media online for media pluralism in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey

Abstract

Increasing political and economic pressures on the media have intensified the raise of alternative platforms for expression online. This is the case in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey, studied under the Media Pluralism Monitor project as candidate EU countries. An overview of the socio-political situation in these contexts will be paired with a crucial element for media freedom and pluralism: the rise of alternative digital news media. In this region, interesting journalistic innovations have surfaced, often anticipating trends such as the formation of consortia of investigative journalists or the use of news podcasts and web TVs. Discerning audiences have turned to these and other formats of news dissemination, seeking to overcome the barriers to unbiased information in contexts where traditional media face political and economic pressures. Additionally, due to a lack of technical resources and funding, minority and community media often commence operations exclusively in the digital sphere. This chapter scrutinises the status of alternative media in these five countries, examining aspects such as audience reach, viability, and their role within these societies.