Participants of OSCE-supported discussion in Bosnia and Herzegovina called to unite efforts in addressing online content that incites violence
SARAJEVO, 27 November 2015 – Addressing online content that incites violence was in the focus of a two-day OSCE-supported roundtable discussion that concluded today in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
The event, organized by the OSCE Mission in BiH in co-operation with the Ministry of Security, called on the media, civil society and security representatives to further develop adequate preventive measures to counter violent extremism on the Internet.
“It is widely recognized that violent extremists effectively use social media for external engagement and propaganda, as well as for radicalization and recruitment into their ranks,” said Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Alexander Chuplygin. “Understanding the use of the internet and traditional media both as tools for violent radicalization and as means of presenting alternative views is crucial to the development of preventive policies.”
Vjekoslav Vukovic, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Security of BiH, expressed his concerns about the abuse of freedom of information. “Today we are fighting against a new type of weapon, such as cyber. Very often websites with narratives causing our concerns are located elsewhere, nevertheless we must do our best to prevent the threats coming from within BiH.”
“Proving incitement to terrorism is a truly complex task,” said Mirsad Crnovrsanin, Expert Adviser to the Chief Prosecutor of BiH. “We call on all media representatives to refrain from qualifying these acts themselves as terrorism and reporting information on their news sites that might lead to individuals committing certain criminal acts or creating a potential threat to our national security.”
Fedja Kulenovic of Internews’ “W Project” underlined importance for all actors and interested parties to get involved and express their opinions in order to contribute to the fight against online and offline violent extremism.
The roundtable discussion also contributed to the OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism initiative that highlights OSCE’s comprehensive approach to preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism by branding all relevant activities under common slogan #UnitedCVE.