Sarajevo, April 5, 2021 – The BH Journalists Association in cooperation with the Council of Europe is organizing the final conference of the JUFREX project, aimed at improving cooperation between the media and the judiciary, which will be held on April 7, 2022 at the “Holiday” hotel in Sarajevo.

In cooperation with the Council of Europe within the program Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey for 2019-2022 – Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in Bosnia and Herzegovina (JUFREX2), the BH Journalists Association organized four interprofessional seminars and two webinars, with the primary goal of improving cooperation between the media community and representatives of judicial and police institutions in BiH.

Contribution to the protection of freedom of expression and integrity of the journalistic profession was provided through the availability of free legal aid for at least 240 journalists, as well as the publication of 5 editions of E-Journalist bulletin, 5 expert analysis and at least 250 thematic articles, analysis and reports.

Through these events, we sought to address some of the key topics related to freedom of expression, work of the media and safety of journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, analyze relevant media legislation and make recommendations for its improvement, and also provide a better understanding of needs within the media community and the obligations and capacities of police and judicial institutions, above all prosecutors’ offices and courts, when it comes to the safety of journalists and the protection of freedom of expression.

At the final conference in Sarajevo we will summarize the results of all previous events, present the progress made in cooperation between the media and the judiciary and protect freedom of expression in accordance with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and adopt recommendations and guidelines for improving future relations between journalists and media, representatives of judicial institutions and police agencies.

Participants of the conference will be experts from the media and judicial community and police institutions, journalists, media editors, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, representatives of regulatory bodies, international organizations, etc.