Activity Details (ID# 4939)

Activity Synopsis

The objectives of the two linked activities were to provide training for the members of the Press Council on self-regulation, media accountability systems and press ethics and to provoke discussion between the members of the Press Council and the editors of major newspapers in Bosnia and Herzegovina about the press code and the current situation in the field of self-regulation. 

In the first session the Council of Europe experts made presentations about media accountability systems and press ethics: Professor Bertrand gave a general overview, Mr Stenholm introduced participants to the Swedish experience and Mr Bervar spoke about the Slovenian practice. During the second session Bosnian editors and journalists gave presentations on press self-regulation and the practical application of the Press Code in editorial policy. During the discussion, the Council of Europe experts talked about the working methods of press councils in different European countries.

The afternoon session was dedicated to the presentation by the Secretariat of the Press Council of several cases from the local press, discussion on those cases and mock adjudications.

During the round-table discussion between editors and Press Council members on the second day, it was evident that all participants were aware of the utility of the existing Press Code and Press Council. They were also conscious of the part that often the adopted codes were not respected by some editors and journalists. One of the reasons for this is the lack of obligation on the part of the press to publish the Press Council adjudications. 

In general, the seminar was successful. The Council of Europe experts showed extensive knowledge and experience in media accountability systems, press ethics and self-regulation. The relatively small number of participants was, however, a little disappointing.

All participants concluded that close communication and cooperation between Press Council members, editors, journalists’ associations and press ombudsman is necessary. The participants also agreed that both the training seminar and the round-table were very useful and should be followed up by similar activities. 

Prof. Robert Pinker, Chairman of the Press Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr Will Gore, International Officer at the Press Complaints Commission in London
Mr Dieter Loraine, Director of Communication, CRA
Seven members of the Press Council and 9 editors and journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Representatives of the UK and US Embassies 

Prof. Claude-Jean Bertrand, Paris University II, France
Mr Olle Stenholm, Press Ombudsman, Sweden
Mr Gojmir Bervar, Senior Editor, Radio Slovenia 

Ms Lejla Dervisagic, Media Division, Directorate General of Human Rights