05/28/2002 Free Media Help Line

Free Media Help Line condemns attacks on journalists

The Free Media Helpline condemns the recent behavior by the BOSS Federation House of Representatives member, Mirnes Ajanovic, aimed at personally discrediting journalists, and undermining the journalistic work by using defamatory statements.

The Free Media Help Line has noted a number of complaints by journalists against the behavior of delegates in the Parliaments of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such offensive behavior by members of parliament is in effect an abuse of their public and protected position. The revocation of the immunity for the Federation Parliamentary members lacks clear regulation, and thus reduces available legal remedies for injured parties.

The Free Media Help Line welcomes the efforts by the Coordination of Journalists Associations to protect the dignity of their colleagues and their profession.

The Free Media Help Line encourages all journalists to report cases of interference and threats.