A multidisciplinary seminar on the topic of intersection of responsible journalism and free access to information in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on 4 March 2021 in a webinar format and has gathered media professionals, members of the judiciary, and government officials.

The goal of the event was to open the dialogue between media professionals, judiciary and government officials on the practical implementation of personal data protection and free access to information legislation, in the light of often misuse of this legislation and procedures resulting in denying access to information to journalists.

European standards were presented by the Council of Europe expert Jasenko Selimović, who also discussed some short-terms as well as long-terms solutions, and shared Swedish experience in tackling the issue of denied access to information to journalists, by government officials. The strength of professional solidarity between journalists who are unified and acting jointly against this practice when it occurs, was emphasised in this regard. Local panelists were journalists sharing their experience asking for the information from public institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina on different levels of governance. The event was organised in partnership with the Press Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This workshop was organised within the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”, and its action on “Freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina (JUFREX)”.