Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

Improving co-operation between police and prosecutors, strengthening the role of contact points for journalist safety, and developing a strategic approach to systemic protection of journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina : these were the key conclusions of a conference on the safety of journalists, which brought together 62 representatives of prosecution offices, police authorities, public institutions, media, and civil society organisations.

Conference participants assessed that progress has been made in recent years, particularly through the establishment of a network of contact points for the safety of journalists within prosecution offices and police administrations across Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was noted that these contact points have already contributed to a better understanding within police and prosecutorial structures of the specific nature of journalistic work and the importance of protecting freedom of expression. However, it was also emphasised that their visibility should be further strengthened, cooperation among institutions at different levels of governance improved, and continuous training ensured on standards related to the protection of journalism.

One of the conclusions also highlighted the need to adopt a strategic document at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina that would systematically define the roles and responsibilities of institutions, the judiciary, the police, regulatory bodies, the journalistic community, and civil society in the protection of journalists. This would establish a sustainable approach to safeguarding journalism in line with European standards and the recommendations of the Council of Europe.

The importance of understanding of gender-specific risks faced by women journalists was also underlined, particularly in the context of online attacks and harassment. It was concluded that the protection of journalists is not only a matter of individual safety but also a key prerequisite for safeguarding freedom of expression and democratic order. For this reason, the need for continued cooperation between institutions, the media community, and international partners was emphasised in order to ensure a safer and more enabling environment for journalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The conference was organised as part of the action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PRO-FREX)”, implemented by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression of the Council of Europe under the European Union and Council of Europe’s joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye,” and the Council of Europe project Strengthening information integrity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.