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'Berlin Wall's Lessons For Today'

In an op-ed for "USA Today," Jeffrey Gedmin discusses RFE and the role of free media in societies living under repressive regimes. More
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RFE/RL's Balkan Service

 

RFE/RL launched its broadcasts to the Balkans in 1994 in the midst of the wars that swept the region, as a voice of peace and reconciliation. With a network of 150 journalists throughout the Balkans, distributed across six bureaus, the Balkan Service has developed a unique model of regional and national broadcasting. It has become the chief media promoter of the values of democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression in the postwar and postcommunist societies of the new Balkan states.

News

Features & Multimedia

Unmasking The Truth About Swine Flu

As concerns over massive outbreaks of swine flu rise in many countries with the onset of the influenza season, doctors say much is misunderstood about how people contract the disease. We speak to experts to learn more, and whether there is any cause for panic. RFE/RL correspondent Charles Recknagel reports. More

In Fear Of The Flu

Public fears of a major outbreak of swine flu are growing in countries from Ukraine to Afghanistan. What is not clear is how many cases are actually the dreaded H1N1 strain, and whether fears of a pandemic are justified. More

Looking For A Monster, Finding Only A Man

Gordana Knezevic, director of RFE/RL's Balkan Service, was a journalist in Sarajevo during the bloody 43-month siege of the city. She remembers life during the war and her struggle to understand the motivations fueling Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. More

A Land Where War Criminals Are Heroes

A government plane was waiting to carry the released convict from prison to a hero’s welcome in Belgrade. Journalists clustered around her, eager for any statement. Not bad for a convicted war criminal returning home. More

The Best Place In The World To Live? You Might Be Surprised

What's your idea of the best place in which to live? Many people would probably answer that palm trees and a gleaming beach would be a good start to their idea of earthly paradise. But in real life, the country which scores best on a whole range of economic and quality-of-life issues is a good deal colder. More

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Facts & Stats

Map of Balkans

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Population
4,590,310 (2008 estimate)

Ethnic Groups:
Bosniak 48%
Serbian 37.1%
Croatian 14.3%
other 0.6% (2000)

Religions:
Muslim 40%
Orthodox 31%
Roman Catholic 15%
other 14%

Languages:
Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian

KOSOVO

Population
2,126,708 (2007 estimate)

Ethnic Groups:
Albanian 88%
Serbian 7%
others 5%

Religions:
Muslim, Serbian Orthodox, Roman Catholic

Languages:
Albanian, Serbian, others

MACEDONIA

Population
2,061,315 (2008 estimate)

Ethnic Groups:
Macedonian 64.2%
Albanian 25.2%
Turkish 3.9%, Romany 2.7%
Serbian 1.8%
other 2.2% (2002 census)

Religions:
Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%
Muslim 33.3%
other 2%

Languages:
Macedonian 66.5%
Albanian 25.1%
Turkish 3.5%
Romany 1.9%
Serbian 1.2%
other 1.8%

MONTENEGRO

Population
678,177 (July 2008 estimate)

Ethnic groups:
Montenegrin 43%
Serbian 32%
Bosniak 8%
Albanian 5%
other 12%

Religions:
Orthodox, Muslim, Roman Catholic

Languages:
Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian, Albanian, Croatian

SERBIA

Population
7,498,001(2002 census)

Ethnic Groups:
Serbian 82.9%
Hungaran 3.9%
Bosniak 1.8%
Romany 1.4%
Montenegrin 0.9%
Croatian 0.9%
other 8.2%

Religions:
Serbian Orthodox 85%
Catholic 5.5%
Protestant 1.1%
Muslim 3.2%
other 5.2%

Languages:
Serbian 88.3%
Hungarian 3.8%
Bosniak 1.8%
Romany 1.1%
other 5%

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