SARAJEVO, Dec 2 (Hina) - The media situation and protection of +reporters in Bosnia-Herzegovina has significantly improved in the +past two years following successful measures of the international +community. There is, however, a
danger of attempts to hinder media +freedom, chairwoman of the OSCE mission Media Experts Commission +(MEC) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tanya Domi, said on Wednesday.+ Presenting a final report on the work of the MEC, Domi told +reporters that the Commission played an important role in general +elections being held in a significantly more democratic atmosphere +than they had been previously.+ The MEC reacted in 201 cases of violations of media regulations +during the elections, and the result was the removal of 13 +candidates of different political parties from lists of +candidates.+ The Commission's mandate officially ended on October 31 and its +tasks have been transferred to the
SARAJEVO, Dec 2 (Hina) - The media situation and protection of
reporters in Bosnia-Herzegovina has significantly improved in the
past two years following successful measures of the international
community. There is, however, a danger of attempts to hinder media
freedom, chairwoman of the OSCE mission Media Experts Commission
(MEC) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tanya Domi, said on Wednesday.
Presenting a final report on the work of the MEC, Domi told
reporters that the Commission played an important role in general
elections being held in a significantly more democratic atmosphere
than they had been previously.
The MEC reacted in 201 cases of violations of media regulations
during the elections, and the result was the removal of 13
candidates of different political parties from lists of
candidates.
The Commission's mandate officially ended on October 31 and its
tasks have been transferred to the Independent Media Commission
(IMC) which was established following a decision of the
International High Representative of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Carlos
Westendorp.
This body should soon begin to issue radio and television licenses
as the first step towards a definite regulation of media in Bosnia-
Herzegovina.
The international community should pay particular attention to the
protection of reporters. The MEC suggested that both entities in
Bosnia-Herzegovina set up special departments at ombudsmen's
offices which would be in charge of protecting the freedom of
speech.
Police in both entities do not respect international standards for
the protection of reporters. Intimidation and apprehensions of
reporters is still a reality in Bosnia, Domi said.
(hina) lml jn