The EU Delegation/EUSR Office stands fully behind media freedom and the responsibility of all to ensure that media in BiH can report independently and professionally. Freedom of expression is a pillar of democracy and a precondition for democratic development in a society. Media freedom is a key precondition for freedom of expression. We advocate full respect for the basic principles of media freedom including the exercise of journalistic privilege, that enables journalists to obtain information on matters of public interest.

The law enforcement authorities have a duty to pursue investigations where there is a suspicion of criminal offence; in doing so they must respect the law and fundamental rights. We expect the various aspects of this matter to be duly brought to justice and we are following it closely.

Given that freedom of expression is carefully examined in the EU accession process, EUD/EUSR again urges the authorities in BiH to make every effort to ensure strong support for freedom of expression in the country and work in partnership with civil society in BiH, especially the media community, in implementing the EU media freedom guidelines 2014 – 2020, the recommendations from the Enlargement strategy 2014-2015 and those in the 2014 Progress Report for BiH.