prijava
VIENNA/SARAJEVO, January 13 (FENA) - Last year, freedom of the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina remained vulnerable and subject to different types of pressures. Attacks against media professionals, including the beating of Vladimir Kovačević, are alarming signs that the security situation for journalists needs to be improved, said in an exclusive interview with FENA Harlem Désir the OSCE Representative for the Freedom of the Media, stressing that noted that the negative rhetoric against the media, especially during the election period, has created the climate of fear and insecurity within the media community in the country.
Author: Fedžad Forto
In addition, Désir underlined that the public service broadcasting system, including its political independence and stable financial sustainability, has been one of the major issues that need to be urgently solved.
"The role of the Communications Regulatory Agency and Press Council is of key importance in ensuring media pluralism and the proper functioning of the media self-regulation system," said Désir.
Désir noted that in 2019, in addition to these issues, the safety of journalists online, particularly female journalists as well as the impact of artificial intelligence on freedom of expression, will continue to pose challenges to all countries in the region.
"My office once again welcomes and encourages all OSCE participating States, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, to implement the Ministerial Council decision on Safety of Journalists adopted last month in Milan," Désir added.
According to the Ministerial Council's decision at a meeting in Milan, member states are urged to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists, ensure accountability as a key element in preventing future attacks, including for the law enforcement agencies to implement rapid, effective and impartial investigations into acts of violence and threats against journalists, in order to bring all those responsible to justice, and to ensure that victims have appropriate access to legal protection.
Political leaders, public officials, and authorities are asked to refrain from intimidation and threats and to unambiguously condemn violence against journalists in order to reduce the risks or threats that journalists may face, to avoid undermining trust in the credibility of journalists, as well as respecting the importance of independent journalism.
(FENA) S. R.
