Journalists Matter, Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists
The Council of Europe encourages member states to transpose the Campaign to the national context. Without each member’s committed and effective effort at national level, through the development of the so-called ‘national chapter’, the Campaign cannot reach its goals.
In this section, we will present developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
National Focal Point
Ms Nina MIŠKOVIĆ, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Deputy focal points:
Mr Samir KARIĆ, Head of the Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Raisa BUŠATLIĆ, expert advisor for European integration in the Office of the Secretary of the Ministry
National Campaign Committee
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, an initiative was launched to use the capacities of the existing Coordination Working Group formed in 2022 within the Project "Strengthening Institutional Capacity in the Field of Freedom of Expression and Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEx)". The project is implemented in cooperation with the Office of the Council of Europe in Sarajevo and financed through the Swedish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (Sida).
The working group brings together all the participants concerned by the areas covered by the Campaign and may invite other relevant participants depending on the theme of the meeting. At present, most of the institutions whose representatives take part in the working group agreed to undertake the tasks for the realization of the goals within the Campaign and cooperation with the focal point in this regard.
The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that the judiciary investigates and prosecutes all criminal acts, which are prescribed as such by criminal laws with the same procedure applying for offences committed against journalists and human rights defenders.
However, several special measures have been taken to ensure the safety of journalists:
- In case of reported threats, police protection can be assigned to journalists.
- Free media support for journalists is available through the "BH Journalists" Association, a Bosnian institution dedicated to supporting and assisting journalists in their daily work, as well as protecting their rights and freedoms. Applications can be submitted via the telephone line or through the website www.bhnovinari.ba/bs/linija-za-pomoc/
- Psychological help is available, including professional psychological support in overcoming job-related stress and fatigue, as well as developing techniques to combat fear, uncertainty and other forms of pressure that media workers, bloggers and activists may face professionally or personally. More information is available on the website www.bhnovinari.ba
- The Regional Platform for Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists has been created in 2016. It is a network of journalist associations and media unions from the countries of the Western Balkans. It has been established with the financial support of the European Union, within the framework of the EU Program of Support for Regional Networking of Civil Organizations society. More information can be found on the website https://safejournalists.net/ -
- The "Handbook for the protection of the rights of journalists and activists after the decriminalization of defamation" was published in 2024 by Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is intended for journalists and activists and provides tools and guidelines for protecting their rights in light of the recent legislative changes that include the recriminalization of defamation.
2025 update
Bosnia and Herzegovina continued strengthening its institutional approach to journalists’ safety through the work of the Coordination Working Group on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Access to Information, whose mandate was expanded to support implementation of the Council of Europe’s Journalists Matter campaign and to serve as the national coordination mechanism.
A major development in 2025 was the preparation of the Framework for the Advancement and Protection of Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Media Professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026–2030, developed through a participatory process involving public authorities, journalists, media organisations, civil society, academia, police agencies and judicial institutions. The document proposes measures aimed at strengthening legal protections, improving institutional responses to attacks against journalists, addressing SLAPP lawsuits, improving data collection and enhancing protection mechanisms for women journalists and media professionals working in local communities.
Bosnia and Herzegovina also continued strengthening institutional monitoring mechanisms. Since 2024, data on attacks against journalists have been collected within the institutional framework through the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, ensuring the availability of official data and improving monitoring of trends affecting journalists’ safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Special prosecutor appointed in Public Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo Canton to act as a contact point for communication and co-ordination among journalist...
Bosnia and Herzegovina, National chapter
