More than 30 representatives of parliaments, supervisory bodies and public service media from Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina came together on a study visit organized by the EBU's Austrian Member ORF.

The visit created a platform for debate and exchange with Members identifying common challenges such as severe commercial competition, cost cutting programmes, media regulation, digital media, erosion of political culture, pressure on independence and changing audiences. Participants discussed ways to maintain distinctiveness in the quality of content and safeguards for good governance and institutional and editorial independence.

ORF Director General Alexander Wrabetz underlied the value of Members' mutual support and exchange and reiterated ORF's readiness to share experience and best practice with other Members. In tough times, he said, we are 'stronger together'.

Participants looked at the inspirational work of ORF in terms of engaging with their audience, controlling quality and extolling public value.

The study visit was organized in the framework of a joint project with the EC to provide technical assistance to six Members from the Western Balkans, which is run by a consortium composed of the EBU, ORF, BIRN, ERNO, IFJ, EFJ.

Participants from the Western Balkans agreed to engage in creating a common principles for good governance.