Kajan files complaint over RTV HB report: Can be interpreted as a political threat

(Patria) - Sanel Kajan, a member of the Democratic Front (DF) in the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has filed a complaint against RTV Herceg-Bosne with the Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to unprofessional and inflammatory reporting, he emphasizes, concrete action should be taken, not silence.

The report in question is titled "If they do not agree to the Election Law, Bosniaks will wake up with a third entity," published on January 3 in the Dnevnik news program, and subsequently on the website and social media.

- I particularly emphasize that the aforementioned headline was published without quotation marks, without any editorial or journalistic disclaimer, thereby leaving the impression that it represents the editorial stance or message of the media outlet itself. Such a headline, by its content and form, can be interpreted as a political threat, which some citizens have indeed perceived, and I believe it constitutes a violation of basic professional and ethical standards of journalism, as well as the guidelines of the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kajan wrote in the complaint.

- In the report itself, author Jurica Gudelj, already in the introductory sentence, presents something that could be interpreted as a value judgment, attributing blame for the state of the country exclusively to "others," stating: "The European Union has opened its doors wide to our country, but due to the unitarist aspirations of Bosniak politics as well as Serbian separatism, Bosnia and Herzegovina is unable to take advantage of the offered opportunity."

Such a formulation represents one-sided accusations, without any attempt at balance, verification, or confrontation of views, thereby grossly violating the principle of objectivity and impartiality, Kajan continued.

The interlocutor in the report is Tomislav Sokol, a member of the European Parliament, whose appearance was marked by a sharp, inflammatory tone, including direct insinuations about the formation of a so-called third entity, which RTVHB broadcasts without any professional distance, without critical detachment, and without giving space to the accused side.

- Particularly concerning is the terminology used by the interlocutor, which RTVHB uncritically relayed. Namely, Tomislav Sokol addressed Bosniaks throughout the entire conversation exclusively with the term "Muslims," although this is a constitutionally recognized people with a clear national name. I believe such terminology is not accidental, but represents a conscious repetition of a politically and historically burdened narrative, which is incompatible with European values, as well as with professional journalism.

Furthermore, the report relays a statement by Tomislav Sokol: "There are chances that changes to the Election Law will come through another path. I do not see willingness from the Muslim side to reach an agreement, but it is possible that this will happen through another path..." This constitutes a serious political insinuation, suggesting the possibility of changing the Election Law outside constitutional procedures, Kajan wrote in the complaint to RAK.

By broadcasting and distributing such content, Kajan states, RTVHB violated the norms of professional reporting, disseminated accusatory and potentially inciting content, and used unacceptable speech and terminology, without respecting the basic rules of the profession.

Not the first complaint
He adds that this is not the first time he has reported RTVHB, and that RAK had previously established a violation of its provisions and issued a written warning, with a clear warning that any repeated violation could result in stricter sanctions.

- The media must respect professional standards, responsibility, and truth. The media must serve the public, not spread threats and divisions. Responsibility begins with a reaction, concluded Sanel Kajan.