Eurovision senior journalist Željka Lekić-Subašić is the 2014 recipient of the ‘Dr Erhard Busek South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) Award for better understanding in Europe.’

Ms Lekic-Subasic,  who heads the Eurovision News Exchange for Southeast Europe (ERNO) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, won the award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the process of democratisation and better understanding in South East Europe.

SEEMO, an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), also honoured Nenad Šebek, spokesman for the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) with a special ‘Dr Erhard Busek – SEEMO Diploma for Better Understanding in South East Europe.’  

Ms Lekić-Subašić coordinates a daily exchange of political, economic and cultural news stories and documentary exchange/co-production among eleven public broadcasting services from Southeast Europe and also coordinates the exchange of documentaries, including the movies Women Trafficking (2005) and Cultural Heritage in Southeast Europe (2009), and organizes workshops and training for media staff from Public Broadcasting Services in the region. 

As part of its remit, ERNO promotes and facilitates the exchange of programmes about minority groups within the framework of the EBU-EU Action Plan for Enabling the Democratic Role of public service media in the EU Accession Countries.

Reunions of ERNO editors and their participation at relevant regional conferences is supported by the EBU Partnership Programme (EPP), an initiative which provides tailored assistance to Members in need of strategic consultancy, lobbying and representation, training and political mediation.