Freedom of expression and media freedom remain central challenges for all enlargement countries. The European Commission insists on the highest quality of reforms in this regard, having in mind the rule of law, democratic institutions, and fundamental freedoms requirements.

#Georgia has sharply backslid and is now at an early stage of preparation. New laws on broadcasting, “foreign agents,” and “family values” further restrict media and speech. For the second year in a row, conditions worsened. The EU now sees Georgia as a “candidate country in name only”.

#Türkiye is still at an early stage and has further backslid. The crackdown on media and civil society continues, with security and anti-terror laws used against free expression in breach of ECtHR standards. ECPMF highlights the disproportionate number of legal cases targeting journalists.

#Kosovo remains at some level of preparation but made no progress. The Constitutional Court annulled the Law on the Independent Media Commission, requiring a new draft. ECPMF urges authorities to align all media laws with best standards and end political attacks on journalists.

#BiH has some level of preparation on freedom of expression, but reforms have stalled amid political turmoil. No progress was made on media freedom or journalist protection. ECPMF calls for the withdrawal of the “foreign agent law” and the reversal of defamation criminalisation in Republika Srpska.

#NorthMacedonia is at a moderate level of preparation but has made only limited progress. The media landscape is stable, but political polarisation persists and key laws still need alignment with EU standards, including the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the European Media Freedom Act.

#Serbia is backsliding on freedom of expression. The climate for journalists and media has sharply worsened, and the EU is urging an immediate reversal. While Serbia has amended some media laws to align with EU standards, overall progress has stalled, especially on judiciary and fundamental rights.

#Moldova has made solid progress: new access-to-information rules, a functioning Media Subsidy Fund, updates to the audiovisual and advertising laws, stronger journalist protections, and revised selection rules for the public broadcaster and Audiovisual Council.

#Ukraine shows partial to moderate progress on freedom of expression. Despite war, it has improved media ownership transparency, access to information, and the financial independence of public broadcaster Suspilne. ECPMF stresses that transparency must stay central to Ukraine’s EU accession path.