Sarajevo, 27 November 2025 – The BH Journalists Association has submitted an official request to the Kakanj Municipal Council, the office of Mayor Mirnes Bajtarević, and the Kakanj Police Station, seeking the removal of part of item 19 of Article 3 of the Public Order Decision published in the Official Gazette of the Municipality of Kakanj, issue 5/25.

As stated in the letter signed by BH Journalists’ Secretary General Borka Rudić, the disputed provision treats social media as a space where misdemeanors such as insults, disparagement, or rude behavior can be committed—something BH Journalists consider a direct violation of citizens’ freedom of expression, including journalists and the media.

The Association warns that such regulation is contrary to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and to international standards guaranteeing freedom of speech. It also opens the possibility for abuse and the initiation of misdemeanor proceedings against individuals expressing opinions or critical comments about the work of public officials through social media.

BH Journalists further emphasize that Article 2 of the same Decision does not list social media as a place where misdemeanors may occur, while all other locations are precisely specified. They also note that issues such as threats, insults, or defamation are already regulated by higher-level legislation of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, making their redefinition at the local level unnecessary and unjustified.

The Association therefore calls on the competent institutions in Kakanj to initiate the procedure for removing the disputed provisions in accordance with their authorities, in order to prevent restrictions on freedom of expression and to protect the rights of citizens.