The OHR, the European Commission and the OSCE announce the re-launch of the Free Media Help Line. This confidential telephone service provides assistance to journalists and media outlets in the event of threats, intimidation or interference against them.

The OSCE Media Affairs Department launched the Free Media Help Line in November 1999 offering a confidential point of contact for journalists who felt vulnerable to intimidation or even violence in the course of their work. To date, the Free Media Help Line has dealt with over 250 cases and has proved extremely successful in raising levels of confidence amongst journalists. This service encourages journalists to report instances of intimidation openly and factually, in the knowledge that such acts against them will not go unchallenged. It also serves to detect emerging trends regarding violations of journalists’ rights, and it enables the relevant agencies to take appropriate action in a timely manner.

Although the OSCE has terminated its media-related activities, the continued operation of the Free Media Help Line remains an essential service for journalists across Bosnia and Herzegovina. OHR has taken on this task in order to ensure that this facility can continue its vital work. This would not be possible without the generous financial support provided by the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The objective of the project remains the same -- the creation of a healthy, democratic and safe media environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind all journalists and media outlets that the Free Media Help Line continues to operate.

The new Free Media Help Line telephone number is 033 217 302.

Contact Email address is FreeMediaHelpLine@ohr.int