This trip was full of renewed relationships, some of going back 30 years.  One theme kept coming up in our conversations.  Rasto from Memo98 in Slovakia called it, “Backsliding Democracy” in the former Communist world.

Several Serbian friends told me that the situation for independent media is as bad as it was in the 90s under Milosevic, with one adding “Except there is no war.”  That is a big difference.  But I can understand the feeling given the media situation.

In Serbia 59 radio licenses are in limbo.  There was supposed to be a tender for renewal or reassignment of local frequencies in November 2024.  Currently license requests are frozen.  Without the ability to predict their future, stations cannot sign long term contracts, get credit, or invest in improving facilities.  One longtime independent radio station, Boom 93, has turned in its license and is concentrating on its web portal.  ANEM, the Serbian Association of Independent Electronic Media is shifting its emphasis from representing radio stations to supporting local web portals.  And ANEM has another priority.  protecting journalists.

Independent journalists in Serbia are facing increasing attacks.  Reporters Sans Frontiers report 84 violations of press freedom in 2024 and 209 in 2025 with physical attacks on journalists increasing, including attacks by the police.  There were between 89 and 100 reported physical attacks (depending on the reporting agency) with only three convictions since 2024.   The murder of Slavko Ćuruvija in 1999 remains unpunished.  The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports increased threats as the late October election approaches.  In Slovakia there was one physical attack on a journalist this year and journalism advocacy groups report a hostile environment fostered by Prime Minister Fico.  Albania saw no attacks although the CPJ reports increasing intimidation and legal threats.

Pro government media in Serbia increasingly labels independent journalists as traitors and foreign mercenaries building the atmosphere of fear and intimidation.  Many of the major outlets are pro government because it’s good business.  B92, which led the opposition to Milosevic, had passed into the hands on international investors who then sold it to a Serbian company.  Now it is considered pro-regime.  The B92 founders sued them to stop using the name to no avail.

Elections in Serbia are scheduled late this month.  My friends are mixed on whether the election will come off without incident.  In Slovakia elections must be held within the next 11 months.  Memo98, was founded to monitor 1998 Slovak elections.  It has gone on to monitor elections in the entire region.  It hasn’t monitored in Slovakia for years but in the coming election ig will be working in Slovakia because of its “Backsliding Democracy.” 

In Albania elections are not due until 2029 but there have been nightly demonstrations since May.  The demonstrations started protesting a deal between the government and businesses associated with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to build a tourism complex in a protected flamingo breeding area.  The demonstrations have evolved into the “Flamingo Revolution” calling for the resignation of the government and early elections.  Prime Minister Edi Rama is in his fourth consecutive term, having been in power for more than 13 years.  He has been accused of trending towards authoritarianism.  My friends are divided.  Some think he is the only one who can lead Albania into the EU.  One cited the growth in income for Albanians and investment that has transformed Tirana.  Others think it’s time for a change. 

One critic, quoted in the Guardian, said, “Rama still very much believes that he’s doing the right thing for the country. It’s a classic example of what happens when you think you’re the benevolent leader, but you stay in power too long.”

Given the Viktor Orban’s loss in neighboring Hungary some of our friends are optimistic, but there is concern about what will hold the new Hungarian government’s coalition together now that it has won.  Can the new government come up with coherent solutions to the myriad problems the Orban government left behind?  Will their countries have the same problem if the opposition wins?

In the end conversation always came back to America.  No one seemed surprised at democratic backsliding in America.  It happened in each of their countries, why should America be different?  But there was also sadness.  Several Serbian friends referred to America as “a dimmed beacon.”  In Albania we attended the 21^st Annual Human Rights Film Festival. The absence of USAID and the US Embassy from the list of sponsors was conspicuous.

There was sadness of the demise of USAID, the Voice of America, and Radio Free Europe.  These broadcasters provided balanced coverage of both the world and countries in the region.  China and Russia are rushing to fill the vacuum, not so balanced.  Chinese aid is conspicuous, Russian influence as well.  They have filled the “Soft Power” vacuum left by the United States, a gift to Putin and Xi.  The view from the Balkans and Central Europe was not that America is “respected again, respected as never before.” In the words of our president.  Quite the opposite.  We went from to beacon to just another big country trying to get its own way.