Press Council condemns threats to Nezavisne novine editorial office

(Patria) - The Steering Board of the Press Council in BiH, a self-regulatory body for print and online media, strongly condemns the death threats sent to the Nezavisne novine editorial office and the endangerment
of the safety of editors and journalists.

"We appeal to the competent institutions to react as soon as possible and identify the persons who sent threats to the journalists and the Nezavisne novine editorial office. Such actions must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and
adequately punished. The consequences of impunity are dangerous, not only for the colleagues who received the threats, but also for freedom of information and democratic society as a whole. Sending threats, intimidation, and preventing media employees from performing their journalistic duties in the public interest are criminal offenses and must be treated in accordance with BiH
criminal laws. Freedom of expression is a democratic value, as is the freedom of professional and responsible journalism.

Protecting the democratic rights of journalists to report freely and safely in the public interest, the Steering Board of the Press Council and Online Media calls on the competent Ministry of Internal Affairs
and prosecutor's offices in BiH to do everything to ensure that this act of intimidation of media professionals in performing their duties is punished most severely, and the free work of journalists is protected. The Press Council and Online Media in BiH gives full support to the Nezavisne novine editorial office, which is a full member of the Council, and encourages the colleagues of the editorial office to continue with their
professional work so far," it was announced.