BH Journalists: In the manner of rigid politicians, Karić lectures journalists, targets them and restricts media freedom

(Patria) - The Association of BH Journalists and the Free Media Help Line (FMHL) have strongly condemned the statements of the Mayor of Novo Sarajevo Municipality, Benjamina Karić, in which, as stated, she targets journalists from the Patria News Agency and N1 television for sending legitimate and professional journalistic inquiries regarding the work of the Municipality and clarifying the circumstances of the tragic death of a woman in a settlement belonging to this local community.

"In her social media post, Mayor Karić problematizes the content and tone of journalistic questions, questioning journalists' right to ask questions in the public interest and accusing the media of 'political pressure' on her and municipal services. In the manner of rigid and undemocratic politicians, Mayor Karić lectured on 'acceptable' journalistic questions, and within what framework, according to her view, the work of municipal public institutions can be questioned", the statement reads.

This association points out that "such language and approach by Mayor Karić, along with the public disclosure of emails with the names of journalists from Patria News Agency and N1 television, represent direct and unacceptable pressure on the media and gross interference by political officials in the editorial autonomy of the media".

"BH Journalists consider it absolutely unacceptable for public officials, using their position and institutional power, to publicly problematize journalistic questions on social media, disqualify the motives of journalists and media, and dictate what questions they may or may not ask. Such conduct is an open pressure on media freedom and the right to access information of public importance, thereby seriously undermining democratic principles of transparency and accountability of authorities to the public", the statement adds.

Attempts to present journalistic work as politically motivated or illegitimate, simply because the content of the questions or the reporting method does not suit government representatives, are nothing more than a form of intimidation and delegitimization of media work. The attempt by Mayor Karić to present a reasoned, polite, and legitimate journalistic inquiry as a form of political pressure on the work of the Municipality and the Mayor is particularly concerning, which is not only political nonsense but also an absurd accusation, given that the primary task of journalists is to ask officials questions about how they perform their public duties, the Association emphasizes.

"Like Mayor Karić, similar accusations against the media have been made by other officeholders in the executive government of Sarajevo Canton and public enterprises and services responsible for the functioning of city utility services in all, including unfavorable weather conditions. Instead of responding to questions with arguments and in direct contact with journalists and informing citizens about the activities they are undertaking to reduce the negative consequences of snowfall, public officials have used their public positions and social networks for settling scores with the media. Such practice indicates a worrying pattern of conduct towards the media and a complete misunderstanding of the role of journalism in a democratic society, which can neither be based nor should it be based on the dissemination of self-promotional posts and photographs on social media", they remind.

The Association of BH Journalists also reminds that public officials are obliged to tolerate a higher degree of criticism and public questions, and that professional and direct answers to journalistic inquiries, not public accusations and discreditation, are the only acceptable form of communication with the media. In this context, BH Journalists demand that Mayor Benjamina Karić and other public officials in Sarajevo Canton respect the right to freedom of expression and information of all journalists and media in a professional, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner, as well as direct communication with the media without pressure, threats, and attempts to control media content!

"BH Journalists and the Free Media Help Line provide full support to journalists and newsrooms that are exposed to pressure due to their professional work. We will continue to closely monitor this and all other cases of public targeting of the media, and use all available mechanisms to protect the rights of journalists and media freedom from political pressure and abuse of public office", it is stated.