As the second Annual Meeting in this year, BRAF 12^th Annual Meeting was held on September 16^th -18^th, 2025, in Tirana and Vlora, Albania.

Hosted by the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA), the main theme of the Annual Meeting was decided to be the “Hate Speech & Freedom of Information on Audiovisual Media and Online Platforms”.

Nine BRAF Member Authorities, namely the Albanian Audiovisual Media Authority, Commission on TV and Radio of Armenia (CTR), Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ACRA), Bulgarian Council for Electronic Media (CEM), Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom), Greek National Council for Radio and Television (NCRT), Moldovan Audiovisual Council (CA), Serbian Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) and Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), participated in the Meeting, thus the quorum was met (Art. 15 of BRAF Charter).

First day of the Meeting saw the opening speeches by Ms. Armela KRASNIQI, AMA Chair, Dr. Deniz GÜÇER, BRAF Secretary General and H.E. Dr. Merve Safa KAVAKCI, First Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Permanent International Secretariat as well as the Country Reports of participating Member Authorities and nomination for the next Term Presidency.

In the opening speeches, Ms. KRASNIQI underlines the transformation of communication sector and the opportunities and challenges it brings. Hate speech is not an issue faced only by the media market, but at the same time, regulatory authorities face it, AMA Chair added.

BRAF Secretary General Dr. GÜÇER stated that Annual Meetings serve to reaffirm mutual commitment to fostering a media environment based on responsibility, dialogue and respect. Secretary General also mentioned the theme of the Meeting, “Hate Speech & Freedom of Information”, and stressed that hate speech erodes public trust, deepens cleavage, and if unregulated, it fuels violence. Dr. Deniz GÜÇER added that combatting hate speech requires responsibility that demands coordination, clarity and resolve.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Merve Safa KAVAKCI expressed appreciation about the effective functioning of BRAF, as it continues to promote the objectives of BSEC when it comes to fostering the exchange of information and experience in the broadcasting sector of the Black Sea region, thus contributing at enhancing dialogue and diversifying cooperation in the wider Black Sea area.

Following completion of the Country Reports of participating Member Authorities, the Bulgarian Council for Electronic Media was nominated as the next Term President for the year of 2026, and it was unanimously accepted.

On the second day of the 12^th Annual Meeting, two panels were organized on the main theme of the Meeting. During the panels, speakers described the situation in their respective countries and provided detailed information about the regulatory measures by giving specific examples.

Moderated by Ms. Nicoleta LUPU, the Head of Communication and Foreign Relations Department of CA, speakers of the first panel on “Hate Speech & Freedom of Information on Audiovisual Media: Ethical Guidelines and Legal Frameworks for Balancing Freedom of Information and Public Safety” were Mr. Ismat SATTAROV, Chair of ACRA, Mr. Deniz GÜLER, Vice President of RTÜK, Ms. Theodora PAPADAKI, Legal Expert of NCRT, Ms. Armela KRASNIQI, Chair of AMA and Ms. Tinatin TCHATCHUKASHVILI, Leading Specialist of COMCOM.

Second panel was organized with the subject of “Hate Speech & Freedom of Information on Online Platforms: Public Awareness Campaigns and International Perspectives on Regulating Online Media Content”. Moderated by Ms. Armela KRASNIQI, Chair of AMA, the panellists of the second panel were Saša SIMOVIĆ, Assistant Director for Legal Affairs of REM, Anna HOVHANNISYAN, Chief Lawyer of CTR, Iliya LYUTSKANOV, Chief Expert of CEM and Nicoleta LUPU, Head of Communication and Foreign Relations Department of CA.

After completion of the panels, the Meeting concluded with sincere expressions by delegations to the Audiovisual Media Authority of Albania for their warm hospitality and the excellent organization of the 12^th Annual Meeting.