Media freedom goes hand in hand with responsible journalism, says report by OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 23 September 2010 - The environment in which the media operate in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to be the subject of much controversy, the OSCE Mission to BiH warns in a follow-up report, BiH Media and Media Regulators under Pressure, released today.
According to the report, there has been little improvement in the areas of concern raised by the OSCE in February this year http://www.oscebih.org/documents/16110-eng.pdf. However, the Mission was encouraged by the BiH Press Council report that citizens are taking an increasingly active role in reminding the press of its responsibility for truthful reporting by filing complaints and registering Press Code violations.
"The report highlights an essential role that the media play - ensuring that citizens are accurately and objectively informed about political life and developments," said Ambassador Gary D. Robbins, Head of OSCE Mission to BiH. "This role is all the more important in light of the general elections on 3 October."
The report draws attention to the continued politicized stalemate over the regulatory and legislative framework, specifically with regard to public broadcasting and the Communication Regulatory Agency, which the next government should urgently address. The report also calls on government institutions to stop political interference and pressure and to improve transparency when engaging with the media. More openness could dispel a growing impression among citizens that their media are not as independent as they ought to be, according to the report.
The report also identifies a need for more professionalism in the media sector, stressing that journalists have a collective responsibility, as self-regulators, to maintain and promote the highest professional standards with respect to providing information, and to refrain from inflammatory and other irresponsible reporting.
The report highlights the need for media reform, and calls for a high-level meeting under the auspices of the OSCE, the European Union and Office of the High Representative to endorse media-freedom recommendations, as recently proposed by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic.
Yesterday's physical attack against a journalist from Dnevni List in Stolac further illustrates dangers that journalists face. The OSCE Mission is deeply concerned that violent attacks against journalist continue. In a democratic society, journalists should be respected and protected. This is of particular importance as the country approaches the 2010 elections.
The entire report can be downloaded at http://www.oscebih.org/documents/17160-eng.pdf