Society of BiH Journalists: We welcome the FBiH Government's decision to address the public via live broadcast

(Patria) - The Society of Journalists of Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the decision of the Federal Government to address the public via live broadcast, and expressed satisfaction that they have taken measures to further
ensure the health and safety of journalists. The society reminds that, together with the Association of BH Journalists, the Press Council and Online Media in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, with the support of a large number of journalists and media outlets, adopted guidelines for action during the crisis period.

On this occasion, we remind our colleagues, journalists, as well as media houses and authorities of the adopted guidelines for action during the crisis period and call on all journalists to:

1. follow the instructions of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) regarding the credibility of information sources, the safety of journalists' work in crisis conditions, and to base their reports on accurate, reliable, and objective information from official sources; share recommendations and advice from competent and expert
persons and institutions with citizens, which will enable them to be informed in a timely manner and implement preventive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in BiH;
2. all journalists and media outlets share the knowledge and information they possess in solidarity, and coordinate their field trips; in this way, they will contribute to the comprehensive informing of citizens, and protect fellow journalists and other media workers (photojournalists, cameramen, drivers, etc.) from the risk of coronavirus spread;
3. reduce the number of guests in television and radio stations to the minimum necessary, and replace the need for interviews and statements from officials by using online tools and techniques for collecting information related to coronavirus;
4. in addition to reports on the work of crisis headquarters, medical institutions, and official authorities, provide citizens with access to information related to psychological, social, and educational support and services so that they can more easily overcome the feeling of helplessness and anxiety that comes with the obligation of longer stays at home and in other enclosed spaces;

5. demand from state and public institutions and bodies of the Federation of BiH, as well as all cantons individually, the suspension of all press conferences and other public gatherings with a larger number of journalists and media outlets, and thus accept their part of the obligation of isolation and act through online communication channels and IT platforms;
6. demand that employers in media houses prioritize the health and safety of journalists, photojournalists, cameramen, and other media staff, and consistently apply the principles of prevention and health protection of media professionals in the workplace; such an approach must include plans for shift work (in newsrooms) and on-call journalists and teams who will perform their work online - from home.

This initiative has been supported by all leading media houses in Bosnia and Herzegovina!