prijava
SARAJEVO, May 3 (FENA) - The Ombudspersons of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nives Jukić, Ljubinko Mitrović and Jasminka Džumhur congratulated May 3 - World Press Freedom Day to journalists, associations of journalists and employees of the media outlets in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Ombudspersons pointed out that World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity for everyone to remember the importance of freedom of expression and the important role that media play in building and preserving a democratic society.
The Ombudsman institution recalls that the authorities at all levels are obliged to take all measures guaranteeing media freedoms, as well as the safety of journalists, at the same time expressing concern and condemning any incident that jeopardizes the safety and dignity of journalists and media freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In this regard, the Ombudspersons noted that there is a need to establish more effective measures to prevent adverse events that go against the domestic legislation and international standards that guarantee the safety of journalists and media freedoms.
The Ombudsman Institution also recalled the importance of journalists' responsibility towards citizens and respect for journalistic ethics, which requires that the rights of those who are the subject of reporting be also respected, especially when it comes to vulnerable categories of the population.
In their work so far, the Ombudspersons have also noted that journalists and media face many problems in exercising the rights from the Freedom of Access to Information Act in BiH, and underlined that in accordance with the proclaimed principles, the authorities at all levels have an obligation to the public to make the information easily accessible.
The Ombudsman Institution considers it necessary to appreciate the achieved level of independence of the media, as well as the intensity of violations of rights and media freedoms, and in that, the responsibility for each specific case, in accordance with their mandate, and on this occasion confirmed the readiness and obligation to help journalists in the realization of their fundamental rights and the important social role they play, stated the BiH Ombudsman Institution.
(FENA) S. R.
