World Press Freedom Day: Empowering information integrity in the digital era in BiH

In the context of rapid technological change, growing polarization and increasing pressure on the public information space, protecting press freedom means not only safeguarding journalists, but also strengthening the conditions for informed public debate and democratic resilience. 

This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace”, highlights the importance of an information environment that supports peaceful, inclusive and democratic societies. It underscores the essential role of journalists in producing reliable information, exposing disinformation, holding power to account, challenging hate speech and preventing divisive narratives.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, these challenges are increasingly shaped by the digital information environment. A 2025 study on the governance of digital platforms and online media, published by South-East Europe Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM) with the support of UNESCO, highlights growing pressures on press freedom linked to the influence of digital platforms over the visibility and circulation of news, the economic fragility of independent and especially small-scale media, and the impact of algorithms on how citizens access and trust information.

In this context, the Coalition for Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, established in 2023 with UNESCO’s support, is helping to strengthen coordinated responses to hate speech, divisive narratives and disinformation, and to promote a safer, more trustworthy and responsible online environment.

As Bosnia and Herzegovina moves through an election year, media workers continue to face threats, intimidation, online abuse and other forms of pressure that undermine their work and independence. Attacks against journalists, whether physical, verbal or online, remain deeply concerning, especially as they are too often met with impunity. The lack of systematic investigations and accountability for such attacks contributes to fear and self-censorship.

The United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on all relevant institutions to strengthen efforts to protect journalists and to ensure timely, systematic and effective investigation and prosecution of all attacks against them. Legal frameworks must also be reinforced to create a safer and freer environment for journalists to carry out their work. 

Advancing press freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina also requires a stronger focus on a multi-stakeholder, human rights-based approach to digital governance. This includes promoting transparency and accountability in the digital information sphere, safeguarding freedom of expression while addressing harmful online content, supporting media and information literacy, and ensuring that technological developments, including artificial intelligence, serve the public interest rather than deepen manipulation, exclusion or mistrust.

On this day, we honour the dedication and resilience of journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As we also mark the 60th anniversary of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting freedom of expression, strengthening information integrity, and promoting an open, pluralistic and rights-based information space as a foundation for peace, democratic resilience and sustainable development.

UN BiH Resident Coordinator on behalf of United Nations Country Team in Bosnia and Herzegovina