To mark the World Press Freedom Day 2022, the Council of Europe supported a panel discussion on How to Protect the Truth in an Era of Disinformation, that was organised on 4 May 2022 by the Embassy of Sweden in Bosnia and Herzegovina together with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN), and in cooperation with Buka and Centre for investigative journalism (CIN).

Council of Europe expert, dr. sci. Zarfa Hrnjić-Kuduzović, presented several relevant examples that show the dangers of disinformation, such as the false information that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, or the deepfake videos of the Ukranian President allegedly calling for the Ukranian soldiers to surrender their weapons. Other participants talked about disinformation in the BiH context. Aleksandar Trifunovic, Buka, claims that, unfortunately, BiH is a fertile ground for disinformation, while Lejla Bičakčić, CIN, pointed out how the source of false information are often the political leaders.

The support to the panel was provided through the project Enhancing institutional capacities on freedom of expression and information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEx), that is implemented by Council of Europe and funded by Sweden, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).