Balkan Insight

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, commonly known as BIRN, is a dedicated team of editors and trainers committed to empowering journalists in the Balkan region. Their main goal is to help create thorough analytical and investigative stories that address intricate political, economic, and social issues. BIRN was established in 2005, originating from the Balkan program of the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) based in London. As part of this initiative, IWPR's original Balkans team was given the responsibility to foster local ownership and ensure the program's sustainability in response to the evolving dynamics in the region. Over the years, BIRN has built a reputation for excellence, dependability, and neutrality in its publishing, media training, and public engagement efforts. Now a fully independent and locally driven network, BIRN is evolving into a robust and sustainable regional institution that aims to strengthen journalism focused on encouraging discussions about political and economic reforms aligned with European standards. The leadership team at BIRN consists of award-winning journalists and editors, both from the local area and internationally, who bring years of valuable experience to the table. They possess a deep understanding of the region's complexities, including transitional justice, human rights, post-conflict societal development, and European integration. Through its online publication, Balkan Insight, BIRN not only delivers quality journalism but also trains local and regional reporters to meet the highest international standards.

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Albanian, Bosnian, English, Macedonian, Serbian

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Albanian Ministry Confirms One-Year Ban on TikTok 'to Protect Children' | Balkan Insight

Mar 6, 2025 | balkaninsight.com | Fjori Sinoruka

Albania's Minister of Education confirmed the prime minister's previous announcement of a year-long ban on social media site TikTok, saying that it will be imposed within days.
Serbian Court Orders Prominent Train Station Disaster Protester into Detention

Nov 8, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Milica Dimitrijevic Stojanovic

The Basic Court in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad late Friday ordered Goran Jesic, the former vice-president of the country’s Vojvodina region, to be held in custody for up to 30 days for allegedly attacking a plainclothes policeman at a protest this week. The court decision overturned a previous ruling that freed Jesic, who was arrested outside Novi Sad City Hall during the protest after he pushed a hooded and masked man who was helping lead a protester away.
US Election: Balkan Strongmen Spy New Chances Under Second Trump Term

Nov 8, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Milica Dimitrijevic Stojanovic

Dimitar Bechev: Vucic and Dodik hope US will shift to their sideLike Donald Trump’s first presidency, his second tenure will be marked by a tough-on-China policy, attempts to find some deal with Russia, and by undermining multilateral institutions, including friction with the EU. The big initiative to freeze the Ukraine war might flop.
Bulgarian Nationalists Disrupt Premiere of John Malkovich-Directed Play

Nov 8, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Svetoslav D. Todorov

The premiere of a play by Bernard Shaw directed by John Malkovich at Sofia’s National Theatre was boycotted by several hundred nationalists on Thursday and demonstrations are expected to continue on Friday around the second performance.
Democracy Digest: Trump Casts Long Shadow Over European Leaders’ Meeting in Budapest

Nov 8, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Edit Inotai

On Thursday, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, buoyed by the re-election this week of his friend and ally Donald Trump, personally welcomed many of the 47 European heads of state and government, along with leaders from significant international organisations, to the Puskás Arena in Budapest for the European Political Community (EPC) summit.
Moldova Hails Win over Russian Interference, But Bigger Battle Lies Ahead

Nov 8, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Madalin Necsutu |Mădălin Necșuțu

Maia Sandu called her victory in Moldova’s presidential election on Sunday “a lesson in democracy”, but analysts argue it was only one battle in a bigger war against alleged Russian interference. Sandu, the pro-European incumbent, defeated her pro-Russian challenger, Alexandr Stoianoglo, 55.3 per cent to 44.7 in a vote she and the Moldovan government said was marred by an unprecedented vote-buying and propaganda effort orchestrated from Russia.
Serbia’s Bill to Prosecute Crimes in Kosovo ‘Unworkable and Populist’: Experts

Nov 8, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Milica Dimitrijevic Stojanovic

Serbia’s government has submitted to parliament a bill concerning the prosecution of crimes committed in Kosovo since declared independence in 2008, but some experts say it is little more than a publicity stunt after it was first trumpeted by President Aleksandar Vucic.
Bulgaria Mayor Accused of Threatening Journalist for Probing Election Fraud Claim

Nov 7, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Svetoslav D. Todorov

Bulgarian journalist Venelina Popova, from the investigative online media outlet Za istinata (For the Truth), has received a series of threats from Mayor Nikolay Tonev, the website and the Association of European Journalists – Bulgaria said on Thursday. The mayor of the small town of Galabovo reportedly sent threats through Viber to Popova over her critical coverage of the October 27 elections, alleging electoral fraud in his region.
‘We’ve Ceased to Exist’: Albanians in South Serbia Demand End to ‘Address Passivisation’

Nov 6, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Xhorxhina Bami

Indignant about years of discrimination by Serbia’s authorities, ethnic Albanians staged a protest on November 3 in the municipality of Medvedja in southern Serbia. The protest was the third in recent months, following rallies held in two other municipalities in the majority-Albanian Presevo Valley in the south of Serbia. Protesters walked to the police station in Medvedja, led by their political leaders, and put up posters in Albanian that read: “Kthema Adresen” – “Bring back my address”.
Shocked by Train Station Disaster, Serbian City Shaken Again by Protest Unrest

Nov 6, 2024 | balkaninsight.com | Dragana Kovacevic

A day after violent unrest erupted at a mass protest in Novi Sad in northern Serbia, sparked by the collapse of a roof canopy at the recently-renovated central railway station that killed 14 people, the vandalised City Hall stands as a testament to people’s anger. The morning after fury boiled over at the protest, graffitied accusations like “Murderers” and “Your hands are bloody”, directed at the authorities, still adorn the building.