Reaction from the FBiH Government: Prime Minister Novalić's statement is maliciously edited

(Patria) - The FBiH Government reacted to an edited video of the Federal Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, in which his original statement was cut and given a completely different meaning.

The Prime Minister gave the statement on 07.02.2023 in Sarajevo, during the send-off of the Federal Specialised Unit for Rescue from Rubble team to the Republic of Turkey and areas affected by devastating earthquakes.

"At a time when the whole world is showing solidarity and humanity towards thousands of victims of the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, some individuals are using such a situation for daily political purposes and for fabrications based on editing and taking statements out of context.

By listening to the original, not the edited recording of this statement, anyone can be convinced of what the Prime Minister answered to a journalist's question. The journalist's question concerned the waiting for a decision from the Council of Ministers of BiH, which was not made even a day after the FBiH Government approved the sending of rescue teams to Turkey, which, as the journalist also noted, would have facilitated this mission.

The Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, in response to that question, emphasized that this is a noble mission and that there is no room for politics. He did not say that he wished there were more victims under the rubble, as they are trying to portray by disseminating the edited video through social networks. He said: "Imagine, some people, children, women who might still be alive and we want there to be as many of them as possible. They are waiting for our help under the rubble. And any other bickering and speculation is not welcome at this moment."

From the fabrication of statements by the highest officials of the FBiH Government, which reacted urgently by making concrete decisions on aid to the victims, it is evident that individuals tendentiously and extremely unethically use a tragedy of global proportions with thousands of human victims for daily political purposes.

It is surprising that, while the civilized world is showing solidarity with the victims in every way possible, some media outlets, analysts, and even political officials are taking out of context, reporting, and commenting in the public sphere on the content of an edited video that does not correspond to the truth.

For the reasons stated, and for the sake of truthful, accurate, and objective public information, we also call on the Press Council and Online Media in BiH to react immediately, in accordance with its competencies and the Code of the Press and Online Media in BiH. At the same time, we thank those media outlets that reported truthfully, objectively, and professionally on this event, showing by their example that in these difficult times, respect for the victims and solidarity with those affected are beyond daily politics," stated the FBiH Government.