Bosnia and Herzegovina: CFWIJ condemns Milorad Dodik targeting journalist Tanja Topić with misogynistic speech

May 24, 2021 – The Chairman of the Presidency, Milorad Dodik, threatened journalist Tanja Topić calling her ‘agent of the German BND’ and ‘traitor’ in a statement to the SRNA news agency from Republika Srpska. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the intimidation tactics coming from top political officials against journalists. We find these tactics endanger journalists’ safety and stand in solidarity with Tanja.

Milorad Dodik targeted Tanja Topić, Banja Luka-based journalist and head of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Office, with 'misogynistic' rhetoric. Speaking to the Republika SRNA news agency, Dodik called the journalist, ‘agent of the German BND’ and ‘traitor’ as a result of her criticism of him and the Independent Social Democratic Party (SNSD). The attack is not the first time Milorad Dodik targeted journalists. The political leader previously insulted journalists with whom he disagreed with the phrases "traitors", "mercenaries" and "enemy media".

Following the latest incident, the BH Journalists’ Association (BHJA) released a statement saying attacks exerted "misogynistic political and slanderous pressure" over Milorad Dodik's insults, endangering the safety of "one of the prominent journalists and analysts in Bosnia and Herzegovina" and her family. 

Dodik's statement about Tanja Topić was previously published by other media outlets in the country, without allowing the journalist to comment on these accusations. In this context, the BHJA called press freedom organisations and media outlets to support journalists who are constantly targeted. After receiving numerous backlashes from citizens and journalists on social networks, RTRS and news portal Infosrpska in Banja Luka pulled back the story from their website. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism follows coming targets from top political leaders against women journalists with great concern. We believe that these vicious attacks aim to intimidate women and silence their voices. We reiterate that these intimidation tactics can manifest serious consequences of physical attacks, home invasions and, in the worst-case scenario, murder. We urge the Bosnian authorities to ensure the safety of journalists rather than targeting them.