OSCE WARNS OFFICIALS OF MIXED CANTONS TO ISSUE JOINT STATEMENTS

( Editorial: --> 6908 ) MOSTAR, Mar 3 (Hina) - The OSCE's subcommission for the media on Tuesday called on all officials and their deputies of mixed cantons in the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FBH) to issue only joint communiques. In mixed FBH cantons Croats and Bosniaks each have an equal share of power. Issuing of separate communiques by officials and their deputies can result in biased and incorrect information to the public, reads the open letter by the OSCE. The statement stresses that separate communiques, especially if they are not announced in all media, constitute a violation of the rules of the temporary election commission, binding all media to pay special attention to the accuracy, impartiality and balance of the news they air. The letter also reminds journalists they are obliged to check information at different sources and intensify their efforts when faced with incomplete and biased information. (Hina) jn mr /mb 032115 MET mar 98