Zenica/Sarajevo, 4.12.2024 – The Steering Committee of BH Journalists sends a public protest to the Zenica City Council for preventing journalists from following the work of today’s constituent session, and resolutely demands that all journalists and media immediately be allowed to enter the hall and follow the establishment of the new convocation of the city government.

As BH journalists were informed, City Administration officials allowed only a brief photo shoot of the participants of the constituent session this morning and immediately removed all journalist teams from the hall, explaining that only the RTV Zenica team can follow the entire course of the session and report on this event.

Steering Committee of BH Journalists emphasizes that the city authorities of Zenica, like all other elected officials, have an obligation to work transparently towards the public, which includes open access for all media that transmit information about the work of the City Council. It is especially unacceptable to prohibit the media and journalists from covering the session at which the newly elected councilors will take the oath and thus, in a symbolic way, send a message to the citizens of Zenica that they will work in their interest and in accordance with the Statute of the City.

We also remind you that this is not the first time that the City Administration of Zenica has prevented journalists from performing their professional duties. BH journalists and the Club of BH Journalists of the Zenica-Doboj Canton have reacted several times so far, either orally or in writing, and warned officials that they cannot question the work of journalists in this way and violate.

The Steering Committee of BH Journalistsand the Journalists’ Club of Zenica-Doboj Canton demand an official explanation of this incident from the competent services of the Zenica City Administration, as well as unhindered access to the session for all journalists and media without exception. Free reporting on the constitution of the City Council is a public interest of all citizens of Zenica and is part of their right to be informed in a timely manner through various types of media and independent sources of information.

Steering Committee of BH Journalists