The aim of the program is to offer quality research analyzes and recommendations for improving the status, financing and strategic programming of local public media in BiH and to encourage and train junior researchers to deal with this topic.

 

Local public media form an important part of the media scene in BiH and therefore represent a great potential for the development of democratic communication at the local level. They can contribute to greater transparency in the work of local governments as well as enhance citizen information and participation in decision-making processes at the local level. The current status of local public media, however, instead of fostering the development of these potentials, puts local public media in a position of servility towards local governments. 

 

Medicentar Sarajevo is conducting research on local public media in BiH and is implementing a ten-month research fellowship. The aim of the program is to offer quality research analyzes and recommendations for improving the status, financing and strategic programming of local public media in BiH and to encourage and train junior researchers to deal with this topic.

 

The program consists of a two-day workshop, during which a detailed methodology and work dynamics for each research study will be agreed and a continuous one-to-one mentoring and research on the following topics: financing of local public media, local public media and the advertising market; editorial independence and political influence; programs of local public media and public interest. At the end of the project, Mediacentar Sarajevo will publish an edited volume with research studies of research fellows together with recommendations for improving the status, financing and strategic programming of local public media in BiH.