Threats against media outlets and organizations, Srpska.info, BNTV, Nezavisne novine, BHRT, Banja Luka, 08.02.2025.

BHJA •︎ 08/02/2025

Threats against media outlets and organizations, Srpska.info, BNTV, Nezavisne novine, BHRT, Banja Luka, 08.02.2025.

Translations: Sarajevo 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Sarajevo
  • Who was attacked?
    Group
  • Group members' names and surnames
    Srpska.info, BNTV, Nezavisne novine, BHRT, Klix

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Srpska.info, BNTV, BHRT, Nezavisne novine, Klix
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
    Printed Media
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    Media - RTRS

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    07.02.2025
  • City
    Banja Luka
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    By public official(s) and/or representative(s) of the executive power
    Politician(s) / political party(ies) (other than public officials)
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    Through media outlets (broadcast, print, online)
  • Type of incident
    Threats against media outlets and organizations
  • Type of threat
    Aggressive, harassing or discriminatory statements

  • Action by the authorities

  • Police action
    n/a
  • Public prosecutor's action
    n/a
  • Court action
    n/a
  • Legal status of the case
    The procedure is in the investigative phase

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly
    The association informed international organizations and institutions

At the press conference held in Banja Luka on February 7, 2025. Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, using political manipulations, heavy slander, street language and a threatening tone, announced police investigations against the media that received USAID – these grants and other forms of American aid. On this occasion, he particularly attacked the portal Srpska.info and BN television, accusing them without arguments of working in the interest of foreign donors and against the president of the RS and his family. He also made factually unfounded assessments about the work of Nezavisne novine, asserting that this newspaper was edited and printed at the US Embassy in Sarajevo, and against the Klix portal and the Public Service BHRT.

The management board of BH Journalists reacted with a statement and called on the media and journalists to file a collective lawsuit against the president of Republika Srpska.