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SARAJEVO, March 9 (FENA) - The freedom of expression and freedom of the media are the foundations of democracy, without which it is impossible to talk about a functional, democratic society, concluded the participants of the thematic session "Freedom of expression and freedom of the media", organized today by the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with the OSCE Mission to BiH.
There can be no democratic state without freedoms of expression and media
Deputy Chairman of the Joint Committee Halid Genjac pointed out that there is a constant need to improve the standards in the freedom of expression and freedom of the media, strengthening the regulatory bodies and improving the legal framework.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina, on its path to the European Union, needs to ensure some of the key principles and foundations of a democratic and civilized society, these are freedom of expression, freedom of the media and the right to freedom of opinion,” he stressed.
In addition to this, he added, it is necessary to affirm and support professional and socially responsible journalism and to prevent the spreading of unverified information and unchecked facts.
“I am convinced that this thematic session will contribute to the improvement of all these segments in the field of freedom of expression and freedom of the media,” said Genjac.
Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Ambassador Bruce Berton noted that there are many challenges in the field of media freedom and freedom of expression in BiH, such as threats to journalists, propaganda and fake news, and the lack of laws regulating the transparency of ownership of media outlets.
He assessed that personal security of journalists continues to be a major problem in the context of media freedom in BiH, but also throughout the OSCE member states.
Berton emphasized that freedom of the media, speech and expression is an integral part of every functional democratic society and that they must be protected.
“As in any democratic state, the authorities must allow journalists to work freely without intimidation and influence,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH.
Berton also added that the OSCE Mission to BiH will continue to work together with media professionals and all other key institutions in BiH on improving the freedom of media, speech and expression.
“This will contribute to greater stability and security in BiH. There can be no powerful and functional states without powerful and functional media," Berton concluded.
(FENA) S. R.
