Rather than attacking the work of journalists, the state judicial institutions should direct their efforts towards tackling major crimes, including corruption and organised crime, Head of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina told N1, commenting on the statement of Bosnia's top judicial official who announced lawsuits over media reports on his alleged corruption involvement.

Milan Tegeltija, the President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), said earlier on Friday he would sue some media outlets and reporters who presented what he called “inaccurate claims” according to which he was involved in a corruption affair.

“This is not an attack on the journalistic profession, I support media's right to the criticism and right to the informing but protection of my rights refers to overstepping of those rights,” said the President of the Council, a special state-level body which appoints and disciplines the judges and prosecutors.

In a statement for N1, Head of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia, Bruce Berton, emphasised that citizens should be able to rely on free media to provide information on potential abuses of power.

Stressing that journalists must also be “diligent and responsible” with their work, Ambassador Berton urged both the HJPC and Bosnia's Prosecutor's Office to “direct their efforts and resources appropriately towards tackling major crimes, including corruption and organised crime” instead of “attacking the work of journalists and further undermining public perception of the impartiality of the judiciary.”

“Freedom of expression is a crucial pillar of any functioning democracy. Criticism of, and open discussion about the work of official institutions, including those in the justice sector, should be welcomed and seen as constructive,” he said, adding that those taking part in free and open dialogue should not be threatened with criminal prosecution “simply for expressing their discontent.”

“Such threats further damage the already deteriorating trust of the public in the judiciary and create an atmosphere of fear that silences public debate and undermines media freedom,” added the ambassador.