First verdict in BiH for discrimination against journalists: Mayor of Šipovo found guilty in first instance

According to the judgment, Kovač made a series of offensive remarks while speaking to Dinarević, focusing in particular on allegations about sexual orientation and directing sexually humiliating comments toward Beširević, Detektor reports.

“The court finds that the defendant's speech was anything but the usual, cultured and normal speech of a person who at that time held the position of Mayor of Šipovo… a self-aware, decent and well-mannered man,” the verdict states, concluding that the content of such speech cannot be justified in any way.

The Court noted that Kovač’s words contained “all the elements of harassment, which is a form of discrimination,” as they violated the dignity of both journalists by attempting to intimidate, degrade, humiliate and insult them through numerous vulgarities.

A case that breaks new ground

Lawyer Jovana Kisin Zagajac emphasized that this case stands apart from the usual legal actions involving journalists, which are typically related to defamation or compensation for non-pecuniary damage. Here, the central issue is discrimination.

“The discrimination is clear,” she said, explaining that Kovač openly insulted and created a hostile environment for the two journalists using protected grounds — gender in the case of Beširević and perceived sexual orientation in the case of Dinarević.

She underscored that for the discrimination to exist, it is irrelevant whether the victim actually belongs to the protected group in question.

“What matters is that the person discriminating uses a protected ground to humiliate someone or diminish their rights,” she said.

According to the BH Journalists Association, this represents the first non-final verdict for discrimination against journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A message to the profession

Borka Rudić, Secretary General of BH Journalists, said the ruling sends a strong message encouraging journalists to report discrimination on any grounds.

“Especially discrimination based on gender, and not giving up the right to safe and dignified work,” she noted, calling the case a positive example of applying the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination in BiH alongside other relevant legislation.

Background: Insults following an investigative article

The discriminatory remarks occurred after Naratorium published an investigative piece titled “Forests of Srpska in the Service of Dodik's Financial and Political Well-Being.” Following the article, Mayor Kovač called editor Harun Dinarević, demanding to know:

“What are you writing about me, what are you writing on the portal?”

What followed was a torrent of insults, including attacks directed at journalist Alena Beširević. The entire conversation was recorded and made public.

Beširević said the mayor used his position and power to intimidate and humiliate them in a discriminatory manner.

“As a woman and a journalist, I feel an additional responsibility to show that dignity cannot be subjugated to power… I see this verdict as a victory for the dignity of the journalistic profession over political power,” she told Detektor.

Dinarević, noting that similar cases often go unpunished, admitted he had little expectation of accountability.

“He obviously counted on that impunity, because I am not the first journalist he has done this to,” he said.
“The first-instance verdict surprised me and showed that the abuse of journalists by powerful people will not always go unpunished.”

He hopes the decision will encourage other journalists to seek legal protection when they face similar treatment.

The verdict may be appealed before the Banja Luka District Court, leaving the final outcome still pending. However, the case already stands as a significant moment for media freedom and legal protection of journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina.