By The SafeJournalists Network and The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) strongly condemn the recent physical attacks against journalists and media professionals in the Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which represent a severe threat to media freedom and the safety of those working in the public interest.
On 7 February, journalist Sanja Vasković, editor-in-chief of the Spin portal, was verbally abused and physically hindered while reporting on a story in East Sarajevo. Her phone was forcibly seized and her safety was jeopardised as she sought to investigate environmental and transparency concerns. The law enforcement classified the incident as a minor offence, despite the clear physical attack that the journalist recorded.
At the same time, EFJ and SJ recall the attack on the cameraman of BNTV from Bijeljina, which happened on January 21, when the crew of this television was physically and verbally attacked in Bijeljina while carrying out their professional duties. After subjecting the crew to a series of verbal insults, a security guard physically struck the cameraman in the face, causing injury. Although the police responded promptly, the incident was treated as a misdemeanor under public order laws, sending a worrying signal about the tolerance of physical violence aimed at journalists performing their work.
The SafeJournalists Network and EFJ expresses deep concern about these incidents and the broader pattern of pressure, intimidation, threats and physical violence targeting journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Attacks on media professionals undermine the fundamental role of journalism in democratic societies, discourage independent reporting and erode public trust in information that is essential to informed citizenship. We note that such attacks are not isolated, but part of a troubling trend of violations against media workers in the region.
We therefore call upon competent authorities – police, prosecutors and judicial institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to treat physical attacks and attempts to obstruct journalists as serious criminal offences, consistent with the Criminal Code, rather than reducing them to misdemeanours and ensure thorough, transparent and effective investigations, with all perpetrators held accountable under the full extent of the law.
The SafeJournalists Network and EFJ further reiterate that media freedom and the safety of journalists are essential pillars of democratic society and human rights. Without effective protection and a commitment to uphold the rule of law, attacks on journalists will continue to foster fear, self-censorship and an environment hostile to independent information.
We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Bosnia and Herzegovina and urge all relevant bodies to act decisively to protect press freedom and the rights of media professionals.
SafeJournalists Network
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
