Ambassador Rick Holtzapple Op-Ed on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day
SARAJEVO, 3 May 2026 – On the World Press Freedom Day, we pay tribute to the courage and dedication of journalists across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their work is a public good; in this regard their protection is a shared responsibility. Safeguarding press freedom is not only about defending the rights of journalists, it is about protecting the right of every citizen to be informed, to be heard and to be able to participate in community affairs.
Unfortunately, the environment in which journalists and media in BiH operate still remains challenging. Since the beginning of 2025, the OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) has documented close to 60 incidents against journalists. These include physical attacks, restrictions on access to information, as well as instances of harassment and smear campaigns. Media outlets face growing political pressure and/or interference, declining public trust, a lack of effective regulation, and increasing challenges related to artificial intelligence and the influence of unregulated social media.
Additionally, much-needed reforms remain pending; existing laws are outdated or are not effectively implemented and some recent initiatives raise concerns due to their potential to restrict, rather than protect, freedom of expression. This is particularly evident in the case of public broadcasting: The situation that Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) finds itself in has never been more critical. The Law on the Public Radio-Television System remains only partially implemented, and the collection of license fees is inconsistent across the country. As a result, the sustainability of BHRT has become increasingly politicized, rather than addressed as a matter of public interest and a fundamental component of citizens’ right to access reliable information.
All these trends remain at odds with the country’s human rights commitments which require the protection and promotion of free expression as a cornerstone of democratic security.
This World Press Freedom Day, let us redouble our commitment to move beyond stagnation and recognize media freedom as a fundamental priority. It is critical for a healthy, informed, and more cohesive society. It is vital for the protection of citizens’ rights. This commitment requires concrete actions. Here are six such actions:
First, authorities at all levels must ensure that attacks against journalists are promptly and effectively investigated, and that perpetrators are held accountable.
Second, sustainability of BHRT must be ensured by fully implementing the Law on the Public Broadcasting System and establishing a stable, systemic funding model and independence of public service broadcasters.
Third, legal and policy frameworks should be fully aligned with international standards, avoiding provisions that could be used to unduly restrict freedom of expression.
Fourth, Bosnia and Herzegovina should advance legislation on media ownership transparency and the fair allocation of public funding to the media, establish effective safeguards against political influence, and introduce protections to shield journalists from abusive litigation, including strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).
Fifth, public officials should refrain from rhetoric that undermines or discredits journalists, and instead actively promote a culture of respect for media freedom.
And finally, regulators and professional bodies should be strong and independent bodies that can consistently uphold professional standards to ensure responsible, credible, and accountable journalism.
Taking such actions to support professional standards, invest in media literacy, and ensure access to reliable information can help counter disinformation and rebuild public trust.
In line with its mandate, the Mission has stepped up to support authorities, most recently, by strengthening the network of contact points for the safety of journalists. The country now has more than 30 designated officials within prosecutors’ offices and police agencies who serve as focal points for issues concerning journalist safety and for communication with the media community on incidents against journalists.
Progress has also been made in improving the understanding of prosecutors and police about the risks journalists face, as well as in documenting incidents against journalists.
With the right commitment, Bosnia and Herzegovina can build on its strong foundations and reaffirm its role as a country where free, independent media contribute to a more informed, cohesive, and democratic society.
This has never been more critical than today, as the country approaches the upcoming elections, when access to accurate, impartial and diverse information is essential for citizens to make informed choices and to ensure the integrity, legitimacy, and stability of the democratic process for the benefit of all.
Media freedom must finally be treated as a fundamental democratic issue.
