An essential component of the Horizontal Facility programme remains promoting and protecting freedom of expression and freedom of the media. The main actors in advancing these two freedoms in the Western Balkans have been co-operating, building their capacities, and learning about how to protect and promote freedom of expression and of the media in line with European standards.

Representatives of prosecutorial offices and police forces from Bosnia and Herzegovina have been learning about domestic and European legal standards on protection from hate speech. Focus was put on the deconstruction of the differences between hate speech and hate crimes, and on how to dissect the hatred towards the vulnerable categories as a motive, to recognise incitement to hatred and treat it accordingly.

To enhance the quality and sensitivity of reporting on gender-based violence, professionals from media in North Macedonia participated in a workshop in December 2023. Recognising the pivotal role of the media in shaping public opinion, the workshop aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary for responsible and effective reporting on this critical issue.

With the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media in Serbia organised an outreach event on promoting media literacy, providing 90 pre-school educators with enhanced knowledge, recommendations, and tools to promote media