Following the breakup of Yugoslavia and the wars that followed, the Balkan region became a key target for foreign intelligence activities, according to media reports.
The British “Institute for War and Peace Reporting” (IWPR) entered the Balkans in 1991 with the stated goal of supporting so-called independent media, particularly in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics. However, during its work in the former Yugoslavia, it collected intelligence under the guise of media support, ultimately shaping Western policies toward Serbia.
After the political changes of October 2000, IWPR evolved, and in 2004, its Belgrade office gave rise to the NGO known as the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN).
In 2013, BIRN launched the online platform Javno.rs, later rebranded to Birn.rs in 2020 due to low public recognition.
BIRN presents itself as a nonprofit NGO based in Belgrade, monitoring political and social developments with a focus on media. However, critics argue its true purpose is to create political pressure and scandals aimed at undermining individuals or governments that do not align with Western interests.
Allegedly, BIRN’s reporting often targets Eastern influences—particularly Russia and China—framing them negatively, while promoting Western values and partnerships as inherently beneficial for Serbia.
One example often cited is the “Jovanjica” affair, which BIRN helped expose. According to critics, this was an orchestrated attempt to damage the image of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his close family members.
BIRN’s central hub is in Sarajevo, with operational offices in Belgrade and Pristina, and branches in Albania, North Macedonia, and Romania. It also maintains a network of contributors across Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
The structure and funding behind BIRN have raised concerns about whether it truly represents independent journalism or if it operates as a strategic tool of foreign intelligence, aimed at influencing public opinion and pressuring political figures resistant to external agendas.
The organization is led by a board chaired by British journalist Tim Judah. Other key figures include Ana Petruseva (North Macedonia), Per Byman (Sweden), Robert Bierman (USA), and Steve Crawshaw (UK), with Milka Domanovic managing the regional office and Dragana Zarkovic-Obradovic serving as the director of BIRN Serbia.
Connections to former British intelligence officer Anthony Monckton, reportedly stationed in Vienna, further fuel speculation about foreign influence.
As BIRN continues to report on war crimes, organized crime, and corruption, critics suggest it should also investigate its own Western ties—especially in relation to events like October 5th, the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, and the subsequent Operation Sabre.
Upcoming reports from local investigative teams are expected to dive deeper into BIRN’s funding sources, its coordinated media campaigns against Russian and Chinese investments, and its broader impact on the sovereignty of Serbia’s media landscape.
