Sarajevo, April 10, 2026 – The Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association considers the verbal dispute between politician Nebojša Vukanović and journalist Zvonko Komšić during a BHRT program to be socially harmful. The exchange ended with the journalist abruptly terminating the interview after Vukanović stated that, in football, he supports Serbia rather than Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Of particular concern is the fact that this TV interview escalated into a verbal conflict marked by mutual accusations, further undermining the quality of political debate in the media and the right to hold differing views and choices.
In the program “Jutro za sve” broadcast on BHRT on Thursday, politician Nebojša Vukanović spoke about ongoing political disputes among opposition parties in Republika Srpska and his candidacy for a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Toward the end of the interview, journalist Komšić asked whether Vukanović would support the BiH national football team at the World Cup, and subsequently ended the conversation after expressing dissatisfaction, telling the politician to “go to Serbia” and “run for president there.”
The Steering Committee of BH Journalists finds the post factum reaction of Nebojša Vukanović and his political pressure on BHRT particularly unacceptable, as he explicitly demanded the suspension of journalist Komšić while comparing the editorial policy of the state public broadcaster to the “regime of Ante Pavelić”, who was convicted for crimes committed during the fascist regime of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) in World War II.
BH Journalists strongly condemn the rhetoric of Nebojša Vukanović and his attempts to discredit Zvonko Komšić on both personal and ethnic grounds through comparisons with a defeated fascist ideology. Such language is not only offensive toward the journalist but may also affect his safety and the protection of his fundamental rights. In this context, BH Journalists emphasize that dissatisfaction with the work of media and journalists should be addressed through legal and institutional mechanisms, including complaints to BHRT management or the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA). Public disqualifications, historical comparisons with war criminals, and ultimatums directed at editorial staff are not acceptable responses to media content in a democratic society.
At the same time, the Steering Committee of BH Journalists considers the professional lapses of journalist Zvonko Komšić unacceptable, emphasizing that a journalist is obliged to maintain objectivity, professional distance, and equal treatment toward every interviewee, regardless of their political views or personal opinions about the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In light of the protected values of freedom of expression and the right to hold differing opinions, it is particularly important to stress that sports-related emotions, personal preferences, or value judgments must not influence the conduct of an interview or the treatment of an interviewee – especially in public media, which must consistently uphold high standards of journalistic ethics.
The reactions following this interview in the media and on social networks have also been disproportionate and concerning, characterized by bias, offensive and inflammatory language, further eroding trust in both the media and political actors. Politicians and journalists bear heightened responsibility for their public statements, as their views directly shape public opinion and can incite intolerance and hate speech.
The BH Journalists Association once again calls on all participants in public communication – politicians, journalists, and the public – to engage in responsible and professional public debate, respect diversity of opinions and journalistic standards and to use institutional mechanisms for resolving disputes. Only such an approach can contribute to reducing tensions and strengthening trust in the media and democratic processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association
