OSCE Mission and Sarajevo University launch Media Law School

On 15 September 2021, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Law Faculty of the Sarajevo University launched in Sarajevo the Media Law School on online freedom of expression and freedom of assembly on social networks.

The four-day event will enable 24 law students from Sarajevo, Bihac, Tuzla, Zenica, Banja Luka and Mostar to learn about the basic concepts of online freedoms, self-regulation of online and social media and the responsibilities of the state under articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

“Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association are fully protected and guaranteed under the domestic legal framework. However, BiH lacks a comprehensive framework that would bring the online protection of these rights up to international and contemporary standards,” said Jasna Dobricik, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Human Dimension Department.

“Processing of potential violations is still a challenge for the BiH judiciary. With the Media Law School, we are assisting future legal practitioners to address various challenges related to freedoms on social networks that exist today, and that can well multiply in the future,” added Dobricik.

The OSCE Mission to BiH is mandated with strengthening human rights, democratic governance, and security co-operation. The Media Law School represents the continuation of the Mission's work in the field of promotion and protection of media freedoms and freedom to peaceful assembly.

In addition to lectures, students will also work on hypothetical cases and participate in simulated trials.