The OSCE mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the OSCE representative for freedom of the media expressed serious concern about the live broadcast of the commemoration on the Radio-television of Republika Srpska (RTRS), during which the speakers repeatedly praised the Hague prisoner Ratko Mladić.
As stated by the OSCE in a press release, Mladić’s convictions for genocide, crimes against humanity and violation of the laws or customs of war were confirmed in the appeal procedure in 2021, as well as his sentence of life imprisonment.
“Reporting on events of legitimate public interest is an essential part of media freedom and editorial independence. However, although reporting on events of public interest falls within the domain of the media’s editorial responsibility, the fact that the content glorifying a convicted war criminal was transmitted to the general public without an appropriate editorial context and without reference to judicially established facts is of particular concern. Public broadcasters have a special responsibility to ensure accurate, impartial and properly contextualized journalistic reporting,” warns the OSCE.
They remind that article 145a, paragraph (6) of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina prescribes as a criminal offense the glorification of persons legally convicted of such crimes.
“It is up to the competent judicial institutions to determine whether the Criminal Code may have been violated by the broadcasting in question. Regardless of that, the Mission and the representative call on the Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) to immediately and independently assess this reporting, including its compliance with Articles 4(8), 5 and 7 of the RAK Program Content Code, and to respond proportionately to any identified violation,” the OSCE states.
They point out that respect for judicially established facts and the dignity of victims and survivors is essential for responsible journalism, reconciliation and lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Accordingly, any media coverage of the upcoming funeral should be accurate, appropriately contextualized and in accordance with valid professional and ethical standards.
