The BH Journalists Association has invited the Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK)' Council to analyse in details the statements of CRA general director Drasko Milinovic regarding the “rigorous sanctions” that he announced against journalist Senad Hadzifejzovic and his Face TV, and to determine whether Milinovic, as the agency chief, violated the provisions of professional and ethical performance of duties.

Milinovic said on Sunday that the agency initiated proceedings ex officio against Face TV and announced that “they will go for the highest sanction possible” because Senad Hadzifejzovic allegedly asked a guest in the show he hosted whether Milorad Dodik, new President of Republika Srpska entity, should be “killed”.

Rigorous measures announced after TV host’s question regarding Dodik

Although it is not possible to clearly discern from the controversial recording, which was carried yesterday by numerous media, what exactly Hadzifejzovic said, the agency chief “sentenced” the journalist and Face TV in advance, which represents a precedent never before registered in the work of the RAK, the association has warned.

“The Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association emphasises that no general director of the RAK, nor any other sector within the regulatory agency, has ever spoken about sanctions to the electronic media before the proceedings were completed and all the actors of the case in question had been interrogated. The statements by Drasko Milinovic pose a direct pressure on Face TV and the abuse of the regulator and its independent position, as well as the introduction of a practice that can cause incalculable damage to other media in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the RAK license holders,” the association said.

It emphasised a necessity of conducting a detailed and independent investigation which will precisely determine what exactly Senad Hadzifejzovic said should be conducted in this case, taking legal measures in accordance with the established facts.

“However, politicising the case even before establishing the facts and content of the contested statement is illegal and contrary to the provisions and Code of the RAK,” the association has warned.

The BH Journalists Association's Steering Board pointed out Article 8 of the RAK Code of Ethics, according to which “members of the Council of the Agency and the General Director must not abuse their authority and allow personal interests and relationships to result in situations that may affect the possibility of objective judgment, as well as professional and ethical performance of duties and work obligations.”

“The statements of the RAK director announcing ‘rigorous’ measures and sanctions for Face TV even before the procedure has been carried out poses an obvious violation of the provisions of the Code and require an immediate reaction of the RAK Council, with the aim of protecting the professional and independent work of this regulatory body,” the association said.