Freedom of expression and the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing serious challenges since the beginning of the year: from introduction of new legal framework not in line with the standards of freedom of expression (initiative for re-criminalisation of defamation in Republika Srpska), to increasing number of reported cases of violence against journalists, political pressures, and threats, all without the adequate institutional protection. Therefore, the advocacy and adoption of progressive legal framework that will regulate the media landscape, strengthening protection of journalists and other media actors, and enhancing the media regulator and self-regulatory body, remain high on the list of objectives of joint action of European Union and Council of Europe “Protecting freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina” (PRO-FREX-BH).

Representatives of the partners and beneficiaries, at the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the action, have confirmed their commitment to the continuation of the collaboration with the Council of Europe working towards these goals. Action will continue its collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Press and Online Media Council, with the Association of Journalists “BH novinara”, both entities’ Centres for Judicial and Prosecutorial Education and Bar Associations, and the Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The focus will be put on the combating hate speech and harmful content online, coregulation of the online media landscape, strengthening the protection from SLAPPs (strategic litigation against public participation), as well as personal data protection.

The action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.