OSCE representative condemns threats against TV crew in Bosnia and Herzegovina, calls for full investigation

VIENNA, 23 June 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the attack on a television crew in Bosnia and Herzegovina and called on the authorities for a full and swift investigation.

“There must be no impunity for attacks on members of the media. A safe and secure environment is one of the basic preconditions for journalists and the authorities must do more to protect media workers,” Mijatović said.

The television crew, journalist Sanela Kajmović-Sojarić and camera operator Nihad Karić from Federation Television, was attacked on 22 June in Busovača. The attack took place when the crew was covering a homecoming event for an individual previously convicted of war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

“Intimidation and attacks on journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina are becoming quite common. At the same time those committing these attacks and acts of intimidation are rarely, if ever, questioned or prosecuted. I call on the government to do their utmost to reverse this trend,” Mijatović said.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.