OSCE concerned by Republika Srpska government decision banning officials from giving statements to BHT1
SARAJEVO, 18 January 2007 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina is concerned by the decision of the Republika Srpska government to ban its officials from giving statements to journalists representing BHT1.
Since BHT1 is a public broadcaster, it can hardly serve the interests of all the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it has been created to do, if officials of the governments of this country do not co-operate with it.
By prohibiting its officials from speaking with journalists from BHT1, the Republika Srspka government is preventing the State broadcaster from fulfilling its role of contributing to an informed citizenry - something that is essential to any successful democratic state.
At the same time, it is incumbent upon BHT1 to ensure that its journalists and editors strive at all times to adhere to the fundamental journalistic principles of fair, objective, and unbiased reporting, for these are a prerequisite for any informed debate in a democratic society.
If a public broadcaster - or indeed a private broadcaster - violates professional and ethical standards, the proper course of action is to file a complaint with the relevant regulatory body. This is precisely the reason why such bodies exist.