BiH: Republika Srpska reintroduces the crime of defamation - Article

On Thursday 20 July, the People's Assembly of the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Amendments to the Crimial Code envisaging criminalization of defamation. Calls from international and local actors to protect freedom of speech and withdraw the scandalous provision that qualifies defamation as a criminal offense have gone unheeded

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT. Also available in ITA and BHS

Bosnia and Herzegovina: MFRR urges Republika Srpska deputies to not re-criminalise defamation - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in urging members of the Republika Srpska National Assembly to reject the amendments on the draft Law to the Criminal Code, which would re-introduce criminal penalties for defamation

Also available in ITA

Bosnia and Herzegovina: On the Amendments on Criminal Libel in the Legislation of Republika Srpska - Reports

In this legal analysis, ARTICLE 19 assesses the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska on re-introducing criminal penalties for defamation, insult, and other similar provisions

Republika Srpska, the criminalisation of defamation and the squeeze on media freedom - Article

The parliament of Republika Srpska approved in the first instance a bill to amend the criminal code which reintroduces the crime of defamation. Now sixty days of public debate and then back to the assembly. A dangerous step backwards for freedom of expression 

By Arman Fazlić

Originally published by OBCT, also available in ITA and BHS

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Journalists organisations call on the National Assembly to reject amendments to the defamation law - Article

OBCT joins MFRR partners in urging the members of the Republika Srpska National Assembly to reject the draft law that aims at reintroducing the criminalisation of defamation in the Criminal Code

Medžlis Islamske Zajednice Brčko and Others v. Bosnia and Herzegovina: condemnation for four NGOs confirmed by Strasbourg Court - Legal Resources

The European Court of Human Rights confirmed there is no Article 10 violation in the sentence for civil defamation against four NGOs, following a letter they addressed to local government offices but that was published by some daily newspapers

Training course: European Journalism in the Digital Age - Opportunities

The Center for Media, Data and Society at the Central European University (Budapest) and SHARE Foundation (Novi Sad) invite applications for a “hybrid-style” training covering the challenges for watchdog journalism in the digital age

Indicators on the level of media freedom and journalists’ safety in the Western Balkans - Reports

Recently established "Regional platform for media freedom in the Western Balkans" warns about the increased use of physical violence as a tool of intimidation against journalists