prijava
SARAJEVO, March 5 (FENA) - A discussion with journalists on the topic "Media and Human Rights - Human Rights and Media" was held today at the EU Info Center in Sarajevo, with the aim of identifying and mapping the issues that journalists in BiH are confronted, and to seek solutions through discussion and exchange of experience, to ensure the free, safe and responsible work of media professionals in the best interest of the public.
Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Khaldoun Sinno told reporters that the EU has repeated the same message as today on numerous occasions, "that without media freedom, without basic, fundamental human rights, this country cannot become a member of the European Union in the future".
“Thereofe, there must be a guarantee of media freedom and a guarantee of basic human rights for any future membership. This is the same message we have reiterated in the recent opinion of the European Commission, which outlines the 14 key priorities,” Sinno recalled.
According to him, these 14 key priorities highlight the same areas - basic human rights, media freedoms "which are two sides of the same coin".
He says that events like this one today are extremely important, and that they plan to hold two more events of the same format in Banja Luka and Mostar.
Sinno added that this is an opportunity to discuss this important topic, especially in light of their future planned activities, which include launching an online platform that will give citizens the opportunity to provide comments, suggestions and the like.
Secretary-General of the association of BH Journalists Borka Rudić said the topic was interesting for two reasons. The first is to speak about human rights in the media, which means respecting the human rights of journalists, editors and all other media employees with the aim of empowering them, educating them and being safe and free to do their jobs without any pressure.
According to her, in such a situation journalists can report professionally and in accordance with the code of ethics on human rights of other categories of population, vulnerable groups and all others.
“However, if you have journalists who are constantly under political pressure, who do not have a permanent employment contract, who are victims of various forms of pressure and mobbing in the workplace, then we can hardly say that our media is free and can report on human rights in accordance with European standards,” says Rudić.
Rudić says the workshop should show what the ways are to report on human rights in a way that will be of interest to vulnerable groups, citizens, as well as the media and, “on the other hand, to raise the issue of human rights to the level of media support."
“We do not understand each other, we do not respect the concept of human rights or do not support the culture of human rights through media content and we all need to take our share of responsibility,” concluded Rudić.
(FENA) S. R.
