Threats to media outlets and organization, BH Journalists Association, Sarajevo, 31.1.2025.

BHJA •︎ 31/01/2025

Threats to media outlets and organization, BH Journalists Association, Sarajevo, 31.1.2025.

Translations: Sarajevo 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Sarajevo
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Male

  • Media outlet

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    30.01.2025
  • City
    Mostar
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    Authorities - institutions
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    Through media outlets (broadcast, print, online)
  • Type of incident
    life_threat

  • 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
  • Type of violation
    Other

  • 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 sent a letter of concern to the institutions
    The association informed international organizations and institutions

The Government of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNK Government ) harshly attacked BH Journalists Association (BHJA) because  it stood up for the Istina Media portal from Mostr, which was the first to publicly publish a list of a number of media from this Canton to which the cantonal government awarded a grant in a non-transparent manner and without clear criteria. In a statement, the  HNK Government  assesses that BHJA questioned their “credibility” and “shaken their credibility”, because they defended the media and its right to criticize public authorities and the non-transparent distribution of money from the public budget.

In its reaction, BHJA rejected all the allegations of the HNK Government and reiterated that they have a legitimate right to protect the freedom of the media and the right of journalists to criticize public authorities and the way in which public money is distributed to the media. BH Journalists reiterated once again that the HNK Government distributed media grants in a non-transparent manner, without publicly announced criteria and a score list of media supported by public money. Also, BHJA stated that the HNK Government did not publish the Decision on the allocation of funds to the media, although this decision was allegedly made on 30.12.2024.

After the Istina Media portal and the reaction by the BHJA, several media outlets published thematic articles about the non-transparent distribution of public money by the HNK Government to the media.