The Press and Online Media Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina has successfully completed the third year of the regional project “Building Trust in Media in South East Europe: Support to Journalism as a Public Good”, implemented by UNESCO with financial support from the European Union. The project aims to strengthen media self-regulation, promote professional and ethical standards in journalism, and enhance the resilience of the media sector in response to the challenges of today’s digital environment.
Between the end of March and the beginning of July 2026, the Press Council received 54 complaints related to the reporting of print and online media, 29 of which were successfully solved through the self-regulation.
Within the framework of the project, the Press Council’s Complaints Commission considered five complaints that could not be solved through the publication of corrections or replies. The Commission found breaches of the Press and Online Media Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina in four cases, while one complaint was not upheld after determining that no breach of the Code had occurred. Ensuring citizens’ continuous access to an effective complaints mechanism and the timely resolution of complaints contributes to the protection and promotion of freedom of expression in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A key achievement of the project was the process of amending the Press and Online Media Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Between April and June 2026, the Expert Working Group prepared a draft of the amendments aimed at aligning the Code with the ethical challenges arising from the development and use of artificial intelligence in journalism and the media, while preserving editorial responsibility, transparency, and the protection of human rights.
The regional dimension of the project was further strengthened through the organisation of the Fifth Regional Meeting of Press and Media Councils from Southeast Europe and Türkiye, hosted by the Press and Online Media Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo on 22–23 June 2026. Representatives of self-regulatory bodies exchanged experiences on the sustainability of self-regulation, the implementation of the new European regulatory framework, the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the role of digital platforms, and the future of professional journalism.
Another regional component of the project was the implementation of a regional campaign promoting media self-regulation led by the Press Council of Serbia, featuring two promotional videos highlighting the role of press councils, citizens’ right to file complaints, and the importance of respecting privacy, ethical standards, and human rights in media reporting.
Through these activities, the Press and Online Media Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued to strengthen the system of media self-regulation, contribute to more responsible and ethical journalism, and promote respect for the right to freedom of expression.