Report on "Protection, promotion and monitoring of human rights in the Republika Srpska "

Period October 1- December 31, 2000

excerpt chapter on

13. FREEDOM OF MEDIA

13.1. Reconstruction of RTV system

In pursuance with the decision of the High Representative for B&H, Wolfgang Petritsch October 23, 2000), the current radio-television system of B&H was restructured. This decision sets up public broadcasting system in accordance with the modern practise of western countries.

Three mainbroadcasting houses were set up: Public Broadcasting Service(PBS), Radio Television of the B&H Federation (RTFBiH) and Radio Television of the Republika Srpska .

PBS shall broadcast program on covering whole B&H. Independent Media Commission (IMC) shall set uniform frequencies to be used by the network covering whole B&H territory.

The task of PBS is to provide informative, educational, entertainment and cultural programme for theterritory of whole B&H.

RTFBiH is limited enterprise and shall produce programmes of all types mainly related tothe B&H Federation.

RTRS is TV enterprise for the Republika Srpskaheaded by the Steering Board of RTRS. In order to use resources of PBS it shall have to restructure the managing personnel.

RTRS broadcasts programmes through one network and one TV channel and is obligated to employ personnel from all three nations.

The aim of the restructuring is that these three TV systems become financially sustainable, financed in a transparent way and professionally used for the benefit of all B&H citizens.

Releasingmedia from the influence of current politics and their independent activity is among the main reasons.

PBS started experimental work already during the Olympic Games in Sidney.

All Olympic Games programmes were broadcasted simultaneously for the whole B&H with PBS logo.

In the course of the election campaign for the General elections(November 11) PBS organized and broadcasted joint presentation of the party leaders from both entities.

13.2. Law on Free Access to Information

B&H Parliamentary Assembly adopted the Law on Free Accesss to Information (November ). The draft law was jointly produced by the law and media experts of the international organizations in B&H with B&H experts.

Pursuant to new law the journalists are entitled to free access to information in all public, social and state institutions and ministries.The public services are bound by law to provide requested information within 15 days. At the same time the law protects journalist from the possible repressions which may be undertakenagainst them by certain public services.

Every violation of this law shall be sanctioned in accordance with the criminal laws, misdemeanor and administration laws, and other laws effectivefor the B&H territory.

The access to information may be denied only if the defense, national security or criminal prevention interests demand so or if commercial interestor privacy of the third party are involved.

The Law on Free Access to Information should be adopted by the entities Assemblies untilMarch 1, 2001.

13.3. IMC is punishing media

Independent Media Commission (IMC) issued punishments to several radio and TV stations in B&H on the grounds of violationof IMC rules.

TV Station "Channel S" from Pale was denied working license in the period of 30 days (October 16). The IMC report states that TV "Channel S" breached IMC rules which promote justice, decency and accuratness and ban spreading of ethnic and religious hatred.

Broadcasting license was suspended to TV station "Channel S" from Pale on the period of 60 days (November 17), due to repeated violation of the IMC rules. IMC found out that TV "Channel S" has so far violated IMC rules for the seven times. The violation refers to failure to comply with the copyright obligation.

IMC Implementation Board found out that Croatian Radio Station Mostar, Croatian Radio Television Herceg Bosnia, Croatian Television Mostar and Radio Doboj violated the Code and Regulations of IMC. Since these stations have previously violated IMC rules, they were issued fine in the amount of KM 1.000 (November 8).

IMC Implementation Board issuedfines (November 17) to radio and TV stations:

• Radio Television of the Republika Srpskawas finedKM 1000 due to violation of IMC Code on advertising and sponsorship;

• Croatian Television Mostar was fined KM 1000 due to violation of rule on copyright;

• Television Simic (Banja Luka) was finedKM 500 due to failure to comply with the rule on copyright;

• Television Zvornik was finedKM 400 due to illegal broadcasting of four films;

• Independent RTV 99 (Sarajevo) was fined KM 600 due to failure to obey the rule on copyright.

13.4. IMC white book

Independent Media Commission (IMC) presented White Book "Media and democratization in B&H" (October 25).

The activities of IMC since its establishment in 1988 till September 2000 are chronologically presented.

The purpose of the white book is to roughly describe the ways of development of B&H since the beginning of the war, with special emphasis on the post-Dayton period.

The book states that essential progress has been made in view of creating conditions for work of independent media in B&H, and proposal for improvement has been offered.

13.5. Long-term frequency license

Independent Media Commission (IMC) run public competion (November 16) for long-term radio frequency license for radio and TV stations in B&H.

So far radio and TV stations in B&H had temporary licenses for using frequencies. In order to obtain licenses all electronic media in B&H have to meet conditions and comply with the rules differing from region to region. IMC divided B&H territory to 13 frequency regions.

Rules of competion involve estimation of radio and TV stations and awarding points based on the four criteria: quality, financial information and sustainability, technical operations and former compliance with IMC rules.

 13.6. Zeljko Kopanja

The owner and editor-in-chief of "Nezavisne novine" (Banja Luka) Zeljko Kopanja was awarded two significant international journalist rewards.

International reward ISF-town of Siena for the freedom of information (Italy) awarded by this town in the cooperation with the journalist orgnaization "Information without boundaries" (Informazione senza frontiere) was for the first time granted to Zeljko Kopanja and the editorial board of the daily "Jeni gundem" (Turkey) (November 12).

Zeljko Kopanja was also awarded International reward for the freedom of press (November 15) granted by the Committee for the Protection of Journalist with National Press Club in Washington (USA).

 13.7. Jubilee of "Nezavisne novine"

Banja Luka based "Nezavisne novine" celebrated jubilee on October 18. The thousandth copy of the daily which was first printed in 1996 was published on this day.

 13.8. Attack on journalist

Anton Kasipovic, assistant general manager to the journalist company "Glas srpski" (Banja Luka) was attacked in Banja Luka. The unidentified attacker waited for Kasipovic in the entrace of his residential building and out of sudden hit him several times in the head. The police launched investigation and is searching for attacker.

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