OSCE mission in Bosnia expresses concern over RTRS broadcast praising Ratko Mladić

The OSCE mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina has expressed serious concern over a live RTRS broadcast of a memorial ceremony for Ratko Mladić, during which speakers praised the former Republika Srpska army commander and convicted war criminal.

In a statement published on the mission's official website, the OSCE noted that Mladić's convictions for genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war were upheld on appeal in 2021. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

“

Although reporting on events of public interest falls within the editorial responsibility of the media, particular concern is raised by the fact that content glorifying a convicted war criminal was broadcast to a wider public without appropriate editorial context and without reference to the facts established by the courts.

The mission said reporting on events of legitimate public interest is a core part of media freedom and editorial independence. But it singled out the decision to broadcast content praising a convicted war criminal to a wide audience without suitable editorial context or reference to the facts established by the courts.

“

Public broadcasters have a special responsibility to ensure accurate, impartial and properly contextualized news reporting.

“Public broadcasters have a special responsibility to ensure accurate, impartial and properly contextualized news reporting,” the statement said. The OSCE also recalled that Bosnia's criminal code makes it an offense to glorify people finally convicted of such crimes. It said the competent judicial institutions must determine whether the broadcast violated the law.

The mission called on the Communications Regulatory Agency to conduct an immediate and independent assessment, including whether the coverage complied with the agency's programming code, and to respond proportionately to any confirmed breach. It added that coverage of Mladić's forthcoming funeral should respect judicially established facts and the dignity of victims and survivors, while meeting professional and ethical standards.

“

Respect for judicially established facts and the dignity of victims and survivors is essential to responsible journalism, reconciliation and lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.