Public campaign in 14 BiH cities: Citizens and journalists together in the fight for truth

The Press Council in BiH, in cooperation with the Youth Media Association in BiH (ONAuBiH) and the Association of Secondary School Students in BiH (ASuBiH), on the occasion of May 3rd - World Press Freedom Day, is organizing a Public Campaign "Citizens and Journalists Together in the Fight for Truth", reports the Patria News Agency.

 

The public campaign will be realized on Tuesday, May 3rd, in 14 cities in BiH from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Volunteers from the Local Teams of ONAuBiH and ASuBiH will inform citizens at info-stands in central city areas about their right to complain about inaccurate and unprofessional reporting by print and online media, by explaining the complaint procedure of the Press Council in BiH.

During the campaign, a survey will also be conducted on the state of media freedom in BiH and respect for citizens' right to accurate and professionally presented information, along with the distribution of the Code of Ethics for Print and Online Media in BiH.

The goal of the Public Campaign "Citizens and Journalists Together in the Fight for Truth" is to inform and encourage citizens to exercise their right and send complaints to the Press Council in BiH regarding unprofessional media reporting, but also to be informed about the state of media (im)freedom in BiH, the increasing threats and attacks on journalists, and the importance of respecting the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of expression.

Since the beginning of 2016, the Press Council in BiH has received 186 complaints from citizens regarding reporting by print and online media, of which 24 complaints relate to comments from internet portal visitors.

Out of the total number of received complaints, 50 were resolved through self-regulation, i.e., by publishing denials, reactions, corrections, or apologies, or by removing comments containing hate speech, incitement, or discrimination.

Despite the increasing threats to freedom of expression and pressure on media operations, the large number of complaints resolved through self-regulation shows that print and online media in BiH are increasingly accepting media self-regulation.

The Public Campaign "Citizens and Journalists Together in the Fight for Truth" will be held in: Banja Luka, Bihać, Brčko, Cazin, Gacko, Goražde, Istočno Sarajevo, Mostar, Posušje, Sarajevo, Travnik, Trebinje, Tuzla, and Zenica, it was announced from the Press Council.