OSCE Mission Statement on Media Being Prevented from Covering the Zenica City Council Session

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) is concerned by the events during the 14 October session of the Zenica City Council, where journalists were asked to leave and the session was suspended pending their departure.

In line with international standards and OSCE commitments, public authorities must ensure journalists’ equal, non-discriminatory access to public proceedings, regardless of editorial policy, and without undue interference.

The Mission calls on Zenica city authorities to ensure open media access to City Council sessions, including through livestreaming, and on all authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to maintain proactive communication with the media and establish clear, non-discriminatory access procedures.

Media access to public decision-making is essential to the public’s right to information, informed debate and accountability of elected representatives.