The SafeJournalists Network strongly condemns the latest verbal attack by the Mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordić, as well as his direct public targeting of journalist and co-owner of Hercegovina.info, Mario Ćosić.
In a statement posted on the Mayor’s official Facebook page on 2 December, Kordić accused Ćosić of deliberately attempting to “destabilize” the city administration and generate “legal uncertainty and chaos”, claiming that the journalist is inciting an “atmosphere of lynching” against municipal officials. Such language, paired with clear defamatory undertones, represents a serious form of political pressure and an attempt to delegitimize professional journalistic scrutiny of matters of clear public relevance. This incident is not isolated. Mayor Kordić has previously leveled unfounded and severe allegations against members of the Hercegovina.info newsroom, including accusations of extorting investors. At the same time, the outlet has been systematically denied access to information of public interest concerning the functioning of the City of Mostar, hindering their investigative reporting and restricting citizens’ right to timely and accurate information.
SafeJournalists Network stresses that critical, fact-based journalism is an indispensable component of any democratic society. Public officials have an obligation to respect the role of the media, to act transparently, and to respond to journalistic inquiries without resorting to intimidation, public shaming, or institutional obstruction. The conduct of Mayor Kordić constitutes a clear misuse of political power and poses a direct threat to media freedom.
SafeJournalists stand in firm support of Mario Ćosić and the entire Hercegovina.info newsroom. We call on the competent institutions, including the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor’s Office of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, to respond without delay, ensure that the rights of journalists are upheld and take appropriate measures against any form of political interference or intimidation.
Public officials have a duty to act in line with transparency laws and to facilitate access to information, rather than contributing to an environment in which the media are publicly disparaged or obstructed. Ensuring safe working conditions for journalists is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental prerequisite for protecting the public’s right to know.
The SafeJournalists network will continue to closely monitor this case.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, December 4, 2025
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
The source: IJAS
Foto by: Canva
