Bosnia and Herzegovina: Another journalist is confronted with death threats and hate speech. Authorities must ensure the protection of journalists and apply laws.

August 3, 2020, Drvar, Bosnia and Herzegovina -- Srpska Republika News Agency (SRNA) correspondent Jelena Desic was brutally threatened on July 27, for reporting on waste storage in the municipalities of Drvar and Bosansko Grahovo. The dumping had led to complaints from residents about the environment and public health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jelena who published a story about the problematic waste disposal from Italy in the area received serious death threats on social media including mentions of “hanging” her and “burning at the bonfire”. These comments, which were later removed, were published on the Facebook page of the Socialist Party of Drvar.

The Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association and the Free Media Help Line both condemned the party and administrator of its social media accounts for allowing such comments on the page. They classified the comments as “hate speech” and called for those responsible to face prosecution.

Vice President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Denis Šulić has said, in relation to the threats to the correspondent of the News Agency of Republika Srpska - SRNA from Drvar Jelena Dešić that an attack on every young journalist, especially one who chose to do this responsible job, there must be an even stronger condemnation and an extremely quick reaction from the authorities.

Jelena’s case is not the first incident of threats and hate speech against journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last May Vanja Stokić, a reporter for eTrafika received death threats over her report on migrants. Authorities failed to conduct a thorough investigation and the charges against the perpetrator were dropped in July. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands urgent action concerning soaring threats against journalists via social media. Such threats are contrary to democratic values and seriously jeopardize press freedom and safety of journalists. We call upon the relevant authorities to find people responsible for threats and hate speech and to prosecute them in accordance with the law.