Le Courrier des Balkans

Le Courrier des Balkans was founded in 1998 to provide, in French, information and analysis from the democratic press of the countries of Southern and Eastern Europe (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Greece, and Turkey).

Since its creation, the media outlet has relied on a network of translators to be highly responsive to the latest news, offering readers the point of view and analysis of Balkan citizens. The newsroom also publishes features, investigations, commentary, and interviews, thanks to the network of journalists across all of the southeastern countries that cover all newsworthy events in each country.

It describes itself as a committed and anti-nationalist media outlet, focusing on social and environmental issues, women's rights, minorities rights, the economy, energy transition, and innovative solutions. The team also deals with issues that still plague the future of southeastern countries, such as the decline in the rule of law, corruption, and organised crime. The newsroom produces, publishes, and relays to the French-speaking public reports and investigations never before published in French.

Le Courrier des Balkans has an archive of 15,000 articles covering the Balkans' political, economic, and social news.

It also provides a free daily news feed on the migrant crisis and the Balkan route, and runs projects such as Carnets de l'exil, in which the voices of Ukrainians, Russians, and Belarusians fleeing Putin's or Lukashenko's regimes are being heard.

The contribution of this media outlet to the French-speaking media ecosystem allows the public to hear the news and stories of a European region that is close to France, but unknown and underrepresented in the mainstream French-speaking media.

Le Courrier des Balkans is one of the first online media outlets founded in France that still exists.

Last updated: January 2023

Last updated date: April 2023