SARAJEVO, FEBRUARY 27 (ONASA) – The Association of Journalists of Bosnia and Herzegovina condemns the threats directed at the editor of the istraga.ba portal, Avda Avdić.
The threats were sent via social networks and after a text about Nermin Muzur, the current mayor of the Municipality of Ilidža, who recently used a diplomatic passport during a visit to Montenegro and Serbia when he was a member of the delegation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Elvedin Konaković.
The text contains evidence that Muzur did not use the document in accordance with the Rulebook on Issuing Diplomatic Passports, as stated in the text: https://istraga.ba/umjesto-kao-nacelnik-vodi-se-kao-federalni-zastupnik-nermin -Muzur-has-illegally-possessed-a-diplomatic-passport-for-two-years-instead-of-his-party-colleague-with-an-illegal-passport being taken away by Konakovic/
Threats are pressure on objective journalism, and actions can be qualified as intimidation of journalists. Journalists play a vital role in informing citizens about key issues ranging from public health, economics, governance, electoral processes, corruption, conflict and human rights. At the same time, investigative journalism helps to hold influential people and institutions accountable in the interest of protecting and strengthening democratic societies.
Journalists play a key role in preserving the integrity of a democratic society, the rule of law and in creating the conditions for a safe society. They must be free to do their work without fear. At the same time, politicians and other public officials are obliged to set an example of respect and ethical behavior and must be held accountable for their actions.
The Society of Journalists of Bosnia and Herzegovina supports investigative journalism and colleague Avdo Avdić and demands a public reaction from the institutions