The European Federation of Journalists’ new woman head, Maja Sever, tells BIRN that despite the multiple problems facing the industry in the Balkans and Europe, it is still ‘the best job in the world’.
Sever believes being an active journalist during her tenure is important: “Every day, I’m in touch with the people whose rights we fight for; I know their needs and understand what pressure from owners, politicians, or advertisers means for an ordinary journalist because I am just a fellow journalist.”
One question facing her is about her gender. For the first time in the history of the EFJ, a woman is leading the organization – and a woman from the Balkans.
Many female and Balkan journalists may be placing their hopes for better treatment in the media world in her.
Media freedom remains a problem in Balkan states. Reporters Without Borders’ 2022 World Press Freedom Index, says the past year has been a significant increase in “polarisation amplified by information chaos” – a phenomenon that has also affected the troubled media environment in the Balkans.
Sever wants her presidency to send a message that the Balkan region is part of Europe, and that, regardless of differences, they must jointly develop democracy and strengthen the independence of the media.
“My colleagues at the EFJ know that I am an open and inclusive person. I know the situation in the media sector in the Balkans quite well; they know that we are cooperating on several projects, and I believe we will get a little closer and strengthen cooperation during my presidency,” she told BIRN.
Focus on women’s issues
A report published by BIRN, “Women in Newsrooms: Perspectives on Equity, Diversity, and Resilience”, found that women journalists in the Western Balkans confront numerous obstacles in their participation and representation in news organizations.
The new EFJ president takes her female leadership seriously; an activist, she rebels against injustice. “The attitude toward women in the media is unfair. It’s not just an impression; figures show the pay gap and many other exacerbated data. It’s always easier for bullies to attack a woman. But I fight against it with all my heart. I hope my contribution to the EFJ will help to improve the situation,” she told BIRN.
Active in the fight against SLAPPs
Sever became EFJ president at a crucial time; press freedom is under attack, many journalists are being prosecuted with so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation, SLAPPs, while at the same time they are also being targeted by politicians. Journalist workers’ rights are routinely violated. European and Balkan journalism, whatever the differences, shares similar problems.
Sever lists some of them to BIRN. “The EFJ is working intensively on professional assistance, building a system of protection of workers’ rights and trade unions, and defining strategies for systematic improvements.
“We have been working together for a long time to connect and strengthen the defence of the independence of local media. It is a problem that binds us together. Poor solutions to local media funding, pressures from politicians and advertisers, dependence on the financing by local government units … Together we are trying to find a way out of this vicious circle in which most of the local media are in, in these areas. The struggle for public media services also connects us,” she says.
The EFJ cooperates with other European organizations dealing with these problems, such as the Europe-wide mechanism Media Freedom Rapid Response.
“We are part of the CASE coalition and participate in the most crucial fighting processes against SLAPPs. We support individual journalists exposed to SLAPPs but also define the strategies, requirements, and participation in the public debate on the legal frameworks for the fight against SLAPPs. There is currently a review of the adoption of a Directive and recommendations on the SLAPP in EU institutions and at the national level of EU member states. EFJ members actively advocate at the EU and national levels support for these documents,” she told BIRN.
A mission, not a job
The industry globally is facing many problems. Given this situation, is it worth working as a journalist today? Sever advises the young to proceed boldly. For her, journalism is still the best job in the world, a job that can make changes for the better in every society.
“It is a mission, not a job, and it is easy to love. I spoke to many young colleagues frustrated with the editors’ comments in the newsroom. My advice was, ‘Trust yourself, fight and think for yourself, complain, and don’t surrender. It’s the only way to do it and live journalism – the most beautiful job in the world,’” she concludes.