The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media express serious concern regarding RTRS's direct live transmission of a commemoration at which speakers repeatedly glorified Ratko Mladić. His convictions for genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war were upheld on appeal in 2021, as was his sentence of life imprisonment.
Reporting on events of legitimate public interest is an essential part of media freedom and editorial independence. While reporting on events of public interest falls within the media's editorial remit, particular concern arises given that content glorifying a convicted war criminal was amplified without adequate editorial context or reference to judicially established facts. Public service broadcasters have a particular responsibility to provide accurate, impartial and properly contextualized journalism.
The Mission recalls that Article 145a(6) of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina criminalizes the glorification of persons sentenced by final judgment for such crimes.
Whether the broadcast may have breached criminal law is for the competent justice institutions to determine. Separately, the Mission and the Representative call on the Communications Regulatory Agency to assess the coverage promptly and independently, including under Articles 4(8), 5 and 7 of the CRA Code on Programme Content, and to respond proportionately to any violation established.
Respect for judicially established facts and for the dignity of victims and survivors is fundamental to responsible journalism, reconciliation and lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Any media coverage of the forthcoming funeral should accordingly be accurate, properly contextualized and consistent with applicable professional and ethical standards.
