Column by Berton and Field: A reminder of shared responsibility for protecting media freedom

(Patria) - Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Bruce G. Berton and British Ambassador to BiH Matt Field, on the occasion of 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, published a joint column which we transmit in full:

"Media freedom is a key pillar of democracy and the foundation on which societies that respect civil rights and fundamental freedoms are built. It is worrying that the very existence of media freedom is in great danger, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also in other countries around the world. Great Britain and the OSCE are working together in this area and play an active role in providing support for the realisation and promotion of these freedoms.

3 May, World Press Freedom Day, reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect media freedom and our obligation to do everything in our power to enable journalists to continue doing their job fairly and openly, in an environment not filled with fear and intimidation. Without this, democracy cannot survive, and we must all make a greater effort to achieve this goal.

This year's theme: 'Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation', points to the current challenges facing the media during election time. Here in BiH, we regularly witness biased and unbalanced reporting, especially during the election year, and reporting that fuels divisive rhetoric in communities across the country.

Instead, journalists should be enabled to provide citizens with objective and reliable information on the basis of which they can make decisions and hold elected representatives accountable for their actions. Only in this way can peace and democracy be truly preserved.

The OSCE Mission to BiH works intensively with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in addressing all problems arising from threats to media freedom, and calls on the competent institutions to fully implement the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on the Safety of Journalists, which requires member states to take effective measures to prevent the practice of impunity for crimes whose victims are journalists.

Recognising the deteriorating situation faced by journalists worldwide, the UK Foreign Secretary has appointed prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney as Special Envoy for Media Freedom. The UK government will host a global conference on media freedom on 10 and 11 July, bringing together journalists, politicians and civil society representatives to reach an agreement on how to protect journalists and the media as the backbone of democracy.

On this day, as on every other day, we are obliged to remember the harsh reality and daily threats and attacks on journalists in BiH and around the world. We pay tribute to journalists who tirelessly seek the truth, often risking their own safety, and in some cases their lives. Their determination and courage are an inspiration to us all.

The time has come – let us free the media!

Happy World Press Freedom Day.