Press Council calls on citizens to report fake news

SARAJevo, (Patria) - The coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant increase in fake news that can have serious consequences for citizens and society as a whole.

The Press Council in BiH, with full respect for all the difficulties faced by media and journalists, reminds of the importance of adhering to the BiH Press and Online Media Code and of responsible, accurate, and timely reporting on the novel coronavirus COVID-19, thereby demonstrating media responsibility and professionalism.

As a self-regulatory body for print and online media, the Press Council also reminds citizens of their right to file complaints about unprofessional or incompletely published content in the media, as well as about irregularities and non-compliance with the BiH Press and Online Media Code.

In this way, citizens, together with journalists, participate in the fight for truthful and timely information, protecting media and information freedom, freedom of speech, and their right to the truth.

"Dear citizens, send a written complaint to [email protected] regarding content you believe is not in accordance with the BiH Press and Online Media Code, with an explanation and precise indications of where and when the text you are complaining about was published," the Press Council stated in a press release.

The Press Council in BiH reminds all journalists and editors, regardless of whether they are members of the Council or not, that they can always count on the Council's assistance if they have dilemmas regarding reporting or problems of any kind.

The Council's mission also includes protecting media freedom and professional journalistic reporting from political, economic, and all other pressures that threaten freedom of information.