GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO BIH JOACHIM SCHMIDT VISITS ONASA NEWS AGENCY
SARAJEVO, March 23 (ONASA) – General Manger of Independent News Agency ONASA Elvira Begovic hosted today German Ambassador to BiH J. Schmidt in the seat of this agency, informing the Ambassador on the company’s activities.
Manager Begovic pointed out that the mission of the Agency is to give a continuous contribution to the development of accurate, independent and professional informing on a progressive, European-oriented, multiethnic and multicultural BiH as to develop its network even beyond BiH.
Ambassador Schmidt said that ONASA News Agency is renowned in BiH, which comes a result of the work and merits of this agency.
The Ambassador said that there is a need to draw a line between media pluralism and media freedom, adding that he considers media pluralism in BiH to be more pronounced than media freedom.
“There are many media products in BiH and you exactly know how a certain issue is to be commented on. Certain media are always representing equal stands and advocate for certain stands,” the Ambassador said.
Ambassador Schmidt added that such practices exist in his country as well.
“Those media or newspaper depend on a particular group of readers, who are not used to reading anything else, or because they are financially dependent on somebody,” the Ambassador pointed out.
Ambassador Schmidt pointed to the support of his country to independent journalism in BiH, which being reflected in the engagement in BiH Press Council.
Germany has, the Ambassador informs, appointed a German media expert who has been working in BiH Press Council for two and a half years.
Ambassador Schmidt added that the German Embassy to BiH plans to organize a trip for young BiH journalists to Germany, anent the elections in Nordwestfalen, the most densely populated area in this country.
According to him, those elections are to be held on May 9th and the Embassy wants to give young journalists advice on how report about elections.
During the visit, the Ambassador toured the offices and talked with ONASA Agency employees. (the end)