Media Focus is a free bi-weekly e-mail bulletin devoted to analyzing the media in Yugoslavia. Media Focus is a project of the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) in London., and is produced in collaboration with a Yugoslav research agency, Argument, and the Media Center, both of Belgrade. Media Focus intends to present a critical mirror of the performance of the Yugoslav media.

Yugoslav journalism is again in crisis. Recent decrees banning foreign rebroadcasting and the closure of several media outlets demonstrate that the practice of open journalism remains a difficult business in Serbia. The war in Kosovo has increased polarization between Serbian- and Albanian-language media. Politics divides, and a unifying professionalism among journalists is hard to find.

Media Focus aims to help expand the ideals of professionalism among Yugoslav journalists. It also seeks to assist local and international agencies, governments, NGOs and foreign media to track and support the development of an open Yugoslav media, an IWPR statement said.

IWPR launched a pilot issue of Media Focus in mid-November, inviting journalists, commentators and officials to offer views on the media. Reporting and analysis provided by an IWPR team of monitors and editors based in Yugoslavia is to begin with the issue of November 23.

The project is supported by the European Commission with additional assistance provided by Britainнs Department for International Development.

Media Focus is available in English and soon will be in Serbian. For details on receiving the bulletin, or to request information on other IWPR activities, contact London via e-mail at info@iwpr.org.uk.