The EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina condemned the recent attacks on Banja Luka-based journalists Aleksandar Trifunovic and Nikola Moraca, on Thursday, saying it is evidence of an ongoing hostile environment for media freedom in the country.
“The recent attacks on journalists Aleksandar Trifunovic and Nikola Moraca, shortly after they expressed criticism over the re-criminalisation of defamation in the Republika Srpska is extremely worrying. It is yet another example of the difficult conditions that journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina operate in, and the ongoing hostile environment for media freedom in the country,” the Delegation said. “The EU Office expects a swift institutional and judicial follow-up from the RS authorities. We also expect the RS authorities to implement measures to strengthen media freedom and prevent similar incidents from taking place in future. Moreover, we expect the highest officials in the RS to refrain from inappropriate comments that contribute to a climate of fear for journalists.”
the Delegation noted that freedom of expression and of the media are fundamental principles and values that every country with an EU perspective is expected to uphold, adding that journalists must be able to do their work without fear or intimidation, in any democratic society.
“Guaranteeing freedom of expression and of the media and the protection of journalists are among the 14 Key Priorities for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as stated in the European Commission’s Opinion on the country’s EU membership application. Strengthening freedom of expression and media freedom, as well as ensuring appropriate institutional follow up to threats to journalists are necessary preconditions for progressing on the EU path,” they concluded.
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