Concluding visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, OSCE Representative calls for strengthening independence of public service broadcasting and protecting safety of journalists

SARAJEVO, 20 April 2018 – OSCE media freedom representative Harlem Désir, concluded today his first official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the need to strengthen media pluralism, including respecting the independence and sustainability of public service broadcasting, and the need to protect safety of journalists in the country.

During his three-day official visit, Representative Désir met with Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak, Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Semiha Borovac, Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Borislav Bojić, and Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications Saša Dalipagić, as well as representatives of media and journalists’ associations.

“I had very open and constructive talks with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We spoke about the crucial role of the press and independent media in the democratic process, and the responsibility of the authorities to support media pluralism and ensure the safety of journalists,” Désir stated.

In his meetings with the authorities, Désir underlined the need to guarantee independent and sustainable public service broadcasting, including through the effective implementation of relevant laws and the establishment of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting Services of Bosnia and Herzegovina which aims to harmonize their activities.

“I have grave concern regarding the state of the public service broadcasting system in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its arrogation by political forces. Political independence and the financial sustainability of BHRT and the entity broadcasters is of critical importance and urgently needed if they are to fulfill their duty toward all citizens of the country,” the Representative said. “This goes hand in hand with the need to respect the independent role of the Communications Regulatory Agency and its decisions, as well as the need to finalize the switchover to digital broadcasting.”

Safety of journalists was also a central issue raised throughout Harlem Désir’s meetings. “Any attack on a journalist is an attack on societies’ right to be informed,” he stressed, adding that such attacks must be prevented, publically condemned when they occur, and thoroughly investigated.

The need for more transparency of media ownership and public financing of the media at all administrative levels was also addressed, as well as the necessity of improving the overall working conditions of journalists as a means to prevent the media from being susceptible to political and economic pressures.

Representative Désir also had meetings with the Communications Regulatory Agency and the media community: the Press Council, Media Association, Media Centar and several media outlets, including a visit to the offices of Oslobodjenje newspaper. He furthermore met with representatives of the international community.

Désir will continue his close co-operation with the authorities to work toward protecting and enhancing media freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.