Bosnia and Herzegovina

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From the Communiqué

2 March 1999

PRESS CODE COULD LIMIT FREEDOM

On 25 February, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) criticised the draft press code proposed by the Independent Media Commission of Bosnia-Herzegovina (IMC), saying it could be used to restrict journalists. The IFJ said it was "too proscriptive and failed to provide journalists with an adequate basis for resolving ethical problems." IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said, "The draft code is full of ambiguous and vague provisions, which could easily be used to restrict free journalism." He continued, "The code tells journalists 'not to offend broad sections of the public.' Some of the best journalism we know does precisely that and generates public debate which can bring about positive change. One must wonder why the international community wants to keep Bosnian journalists from doing the same?" Moreover, White said, the definition of "the public interest... was restricted to actions that expose crime, protect public health and prevent the public from being misled.... This excludes a wide range of information which the public is entitled to know," including corruption by public officials.



Reports

22 January 2009

World Report 2009: Bosnia and Herzegovina

3 April 2008

World Report 2008: Bosnia-Herzegovina


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Alerts

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