A Human Rights Watch study confirms that journalists in the Western Balkans – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia; all countries where MDIF works – operate in “a hostile environment that directly affects their ability to do critical, independent reporting essential to a democratic society”. The report documents physical attacks and threats, punitive lawsuits and smear campaigns, and calls on governments to take immediate steps to create safe conditions and end impunity. In some cases, governments themselves intimidate critical media by bringing court actions, directing smear campaigns and exerting financial pressure.