OHR and EU Delegation: Condemnation of insults against RTRS journalists

After the Minister of Security of BiH, Dragan Mektić, uttered a series of insults against RTRS journalists during a press conference held in Banja Luka yesterday, the OHR and the EU Delegation in BiH reacted, reports the BiH news agency Patria. 

- Yesterday's offensive comments directed at RTRS journalists are just the latest example of a very common practice by representatives of many political parties in this country, which we clearly condemn. As the OHR has previously emphasized, the media have an obligation to report objectively and professionally, but they must be allowed the freedom and independence to do their job. The media play a key role in building democracy and understanding in BiH. Therefore, the ability of the media to work freely throughout BiH is of fundamental importance and is a measure of the democratic maturity of society.

At the same time, there are mechanisms that can ensure an independent review of complaints against journalists and editors. These mechanisms should be used, not insults or other forms of pressure on journalists - the OHR stated.

Commenting on the discriminatory statements made about the RTRS journalist, the spokesperson for the EU Delegation and the Office of the EU Special Representative in BiH, Andy McGuffie, stated:

- The safety of journalists is a prerequisite for the existence of freedom of speech and free media. Any threat to the working conditions of journalists and their ability to act independently must be taken seriously. Specifically mentioning female journalists in gender-discriminatory statements is degrading, and as such is an unacceptable threat to the safety of women in the media. In addition to being an insult and causing personal trauma, it is a challenge to media freedom.

For the European Union, freedom of expression and media freedom are among the main priorities. As part of the Copenhagen political criteria, they are a key aspect of the EU integration process for the Western Balkan countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. We closely monitor these issues when assessing Bosnia and Herzegovina's readiness in the EU approximation process. We expect full support from those in responsible positions in achieving these priorities - it is stated.