The second meeting of Steering Committee of the action on “Freedom of the expressions and freedom of media in Bosnia and Herzegovina” (JUFREX 2), that is a part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019 - 2022, was held online – in a form of a webinar.
Participants, representatives of local institutions, implementing partners of Council of Europe - both entities Centers for Judicial and Prosecutorial Training, both entities Bar Associations, the representative of media regulatory authority – Communication Regulatory Agency, the representative of BiH media self-regulatory body Press and Online Media Council, and representative of Association of Journalists of BiH - BH novinari, discussed accomplishments and challenges to the project implementation, during 2020 and 2021.
Continued systematic and multisectoral education of all professional groups involved in JUFREX is still a necessity, even though there is visible impact of JUFREX, in the form of change of judicial practice in the cases of defamation. This was one of the main messages repeated by many participants.
Loreta Vioiu, Deputy Head of Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, emphasised that JUFREX 2 will continue contributing to the further strengthening of the freedom of expression and freedom of media in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with European standards. It will continue to support the capacity development of judges, prosecutors and lawyers (and when relevant the police forces as well, in regard to combating hate speech), as well as media partners, in the matters of consistent application of Article 10 (Freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights and ethical journalism.
Vladimir Pandurević, JUFREX Programme Manager on behalf of European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, noted that this action is a true example of good collaboration of civil society and institutions of the country, supported by the international organisations in a pursuit of consistent and efficient protection of freedom of expression and the media in BiH.
