Guidelines for Journalists and Media Houses During a Crisis Period

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Association of Journalists of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the BH Journalists Association, 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, have adopted guidelines for action during a crisis period. Organized by the Association of Journalists of BiH, and in response to the situation faced by journalists and media outlets due to the coronavirus pandemic (covid-19), guidelines were adopted at a meeting held on March 16, 2020, in Sarajevo - for the crisis period.

Guidelines for action during the crisis period have been adopted, calling on all journalists and media houses 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 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 individuals and institutions with citizens, which will enable them to be timely informed and implement preventive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in BiH;
2. All journalists and media outlets should share their findings and information in solidarity, and coordinate their field work; in this way, they will contribute to 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 reporting on the work of crisis headquarters, medical institutions, and official authorities, ensure citizens have access to information related to psychological, social, and educational support and services so they can more easily overcome feelings of helplessness and anxiety that come with the obligation of spending longer periods 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, to suspend all press conferences and other public gatherings with a larger number of journalists and media, and thus accept their part of the isolation obligations and operate 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 principles of prevention and protection of the health 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!