Secretariat of the Press Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina - 1998-2006

 

CHRONOLOGY
SECRETARIAT OF THE PRESS COUNCIL IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Year 2006

26th December

Meeting with the Project Co-ordinator of the SHC, Swedish Helsinki Committee, Office in B&H, Ms Natalija Bratuljevic: evaluation of foreseen activities for 2006 and preliminary agreement for co-operation in year 2007.

19th December

Press Council in Bosnia-Herzegovina sent Reminder to all editors of print media, highlighting necessity for respect of the Article 11 of the Press Code, Protection of Children and Minors.

19th December

Annex to the Article 10 of the Press Code and Recommendations of court media reporters in B&H sent to editors in chief of print media and Journalists' Associations for review and comments.

1st December

Beginning of broadcasting radio jingle of the Press Council at radio stations Radio Federacije B&H and Radio postaja Vitez. Broadcasting enabled donor organisation IFA, Im Pakt Media.

November

Intensive preparations of the Secretariat for meeting of newspaper publishers in B&H and Establishing Assembly of the Press Council in Bosnia-Herzegovina at the state level.

1st November

Beginning of broadcasting radio jingle of the Press Council at the radio station Radio Bobar from Bijeljina. Broadcasting enabled donor organisation IFA, Im Pakt Media.

21st October

Beginning of broadcasting radio jingle of the Press Council at radio stations Radio Stari Grad and RTRS. Broadcasting enabled donor organisation IFA, Im Pakt Media.

20th October

Beginning of broadcasting radio jingle of the Press Council at radio station Free Radio Prijedor. Broadcasting enabled donor organisations IFA, Im Pakt Media and OSI.

15th -18th September

Visit of colleagues from the Press Council of Kosovo, self-regulatory body at Kosovo: Director of the Press Council Office, Mr Nehat Islami and member of the Council, Ms Nadira Avdic Vllasi. On behalf of the Secretariat, with Mr Islami talked Ms Edisa Sikalo, Complaints Officer, who introduced the guest with the complaints procedure of the Press Council and regular activities of the Secretariat. Mr Islami and Ms Vllasi also talked to Ms Senka Kurtovic, Editor in Chief of daily "Oslobodjenje", on self-regulation in B&H. Also, guests from Kosovo visited some of editors and journalists of print and electronic media from Sarajevo.

1st September

The Press Council sent reminder on the Press Code in pre-election period to editors and journalists of print media. Highlighted necessity of adhering to following Articles of the Press Code: Article 2, Editorial Responsibility, Article 3, Incitement, Article 4, Discrimination, Article 5, Accuracy and Fair Reporting, Article 7, Opportunity to Reply, Article 9, Privacy and Article 15, Public Interest.

30th August

Director of the B&H Press Council Secretariat, Ms Ljiljana Zurovac, held meeting with President of Council of Ministers, Mr Adnan Terzic. At the meeting discussed on possibility of the state's financial help to the Press Council of B&H in election period during September and October 2006, as well as possibilities of permanent financial help of the state to the Council in years to come.

25th August

The Press Council of B&H and Association "BH Journalists" sent Annex to the Press Code and Recommendations for media on treating gender issues and usage of gender sensitive language, to all media in B&H. Annex to the Press Code relates to Articles 1, General Provisions and 4, Discrimination.

22nd August

The Press Council of B&H singed agreement with German organisation IFA, Institute fur Auslandsbezienhungen e.v., on financing the promotional campaign of the BH Press Council in 2006. Amount: 19.940,00 Euro.

11th August

Director of the Press Council Secretariat, Ms Ljiljana Zurovac, visited daily "Nezavisne novine" in Banja Luka. Future co-operation of the Press Council and "Nezavisne novine" and joint establishment of the state level Press Council were topics of discussion with Director of publishing house DNN, Mr. Zeljko Kopanja, and Editor in Chief of "Nezavisne novine, Mr Dragan Jerinic.

9th August

Director of the Press Council Secretariat, Ms Ljiljana Zurovac, visited daily "Glas Srpske" in Banja Luka. Future co-operation of the Press Council and "Glas Srpske" and joint establishment of the state level Press Council were topics of discussion with Director of daily "Glas Srpske", Mr Rajko Radovanovic.

4th August

Director of the Press Council Secretariat, Ms Ljiljana Zurovac, visited daily "Dnevni list" in Mostar. Future co-operation of the Press Council and "Dnevni list" and joint establishment of the state level Press Council were topics of discussion with Editor in Chief of "Dnevni list", Mr Miro Rasic.

26th July

Signed agreement between the Press Council of B&H and Council of Europe on financing 2 conferences "Media in Election Time", planned for 28th August 2006 in Sarajevo and Banja Luka. Amount: 800,00 Euro.

25th July

The Press Council of B&H signed agreement with organisation OSI, Open Society Institute, on financing the project "Promotional campaign of the B&H Press Council". Amount: 7.750,00 EUR.

26th July

The Press Council engaged a lawyer, Mr Damir Tahirovc, to register the Press Council at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

20th June

The Press Council Secretariat visited delegation of journalists from Moldavia. Exchanged experiences on self-regulation and print media industry in B&H and Moldavia.

19th June

The Press Council Secretariat visited representatives of Im Pakt Media organisation from Germany. Discussed past and future co-operation between the Press Council and IFA organisation.

29th May

Signed agreement with UNDP/CIDA organisation for the project "Self-regulation in print media- respect of gender issues". This project was realised in co-operation with the Gender Centre of the RS Government from Banja Luka and Q/Queer organisation from Sarajevo. Amount: 9.950,00 KM (5.097,00 EUR).

24th May

Visit of representatives of the donor organisations SHC, Swedish Helsinki Committee, and SIDA, Swedish International Development Agency, to the Press Council Secretariat. Discussion on past and future co-operation of these two organisations and the B&H Press Council.

9th May

Representatives of the Press Council held meeting with representatives of the Election Commission. Discussed role of the Press Council at forthcoming General Elections 2006, as well as new articles of the Election Law relating to media reporting in election period.

26th April

The Press Council of B&H received donation from SHC, Swedish Helsinki Committee, for the operational costs of the Press Council. With this donation was ensured continuation of work  and all planned activities for 2006. Amount: 38.700,00 EUR

18th April

Press Council Secretariat of B&H visited by Head of OSCE Mission in B&H, H.E. Ambassador Douglas Davidson. With Director of Secretariat, Ambassador Davidson talked on print media in B&H in general, self-regulation and activities of the BH Press Council in reorganisation, and also preparations for print media monitoring during the election period.

7th April

The Press Council of B&H received remaining part of donation from the Press Now from Holland, for the project "Operational costs of the Press Council in 2004".  Amount:  6.000,00 EUR.

March

Director of the Press Council Secretariat, Ms Ljiljana Zurovac, and Deputy Chairman, Mr Emir Habul, held meeting with Director of Direction for European Integration, Mr Osman Topcagic. Objective of this meeting was requesting support from the Direction, for the financial help from the B&H Government.

13th -17th March

Mr Yasha Lange, consultant from the Press Now organisation from Holland, stayed at the Press Council for five days. Objective of this visit was helping in finalisation of the proposal for the Statute for the new Council and financial self-sustainability of the Council. Together with Director of the Secretariat, Ms Ljiljana Zurovac, Mr Lange visited representatives of the Government, International Organisations, Embassies in B&H. Meetings held with Minister for Communications, Mr Branko Dokic, Ambassador of the OSCE Mission in B&H, Mr Douglas Davidson, Ambassador of UK, Mr Matthew Rycroft and Chief of Press Office of the EU Delegation in B&H, Mr Frano Maroevic and First Secretary of the EU Ambassadors in B&H.

March

The Press Council received letter from the Chairman of the Election Commission, Mr Branko Petric, with information on changes and amendments of the Election Law of B&H. According to the Article 16 of the Election Law "Political subjects shall submit their complaints on print media reporting during the election period, to the Press Council".

February

Advertising of the B&H Press Council via billboards placed at territory of whole B&H. Advertising enabled by organisation OSI, Open Society Institute.

January

Finalising of the proposal for the new Statute. Definite adoption of the three years strategic plan of the Press Council.

Year 2005

5th -12th December

Published promotional ad of the B&H Press Council in all daily and weekly newspapers in B&H. Donation of the OSCE Mission of B&H.

1st November

OSI, Open Society Institute, approved financial help for organisation of the promotional campaign of the B&H Press Council, maintaining of regular meetings of the Council and Establishing Assembly of the B&H Press Council at the state level. This donation was remaining part of money for the project "Making a Press Code Work", where one part was used for monitoring of print media, second part for the operational costs, and the last, third, part for the promotional campaign: Amount  9.950 Euro.

26th October

The Press Council of B&H, Association "BH Journalists" and Bosnia-Herzegovina Journalist Union, sent a Letter of protest to Parliamentary Assembly of B&H and Commission for Finances due to accepting proposal of the value added tax of 17% for all products, including the publishing industry, which endangers survival of many small print media.

12th October

Reaction of the B&H Press Council due to adoption the unique VAT of 17% for the press as well. The reaction was submitted to Chairman of the Council of Ministers in B&H, and all media in B&H.

1st October

The Press Council Secretariat moved to new premises at Trampina 8 street, Sarajevo.

20th September

SCH, Swedish Helsinki Committee, approved financial help for operational costs of the B&H Press Council till the end of 2005. Amount: 24.700,00 EUR.

14th September

LJILJANA ZUROVAC, journalist from Sarajevo, elected by the Nomination Commission at the position of the Director of the B&H Press Council Secretariat.

10th September

Interviews with applicants for position of the Director of the Secretariat held in Sarajevo. Members of the Nomination Commission were Ph.D. Drago Brankovic, Chairman of the Press Council and Mr Emir Habul and Mr Jozo Pavovic, Deputy Chairmen of the Press Council.

August

Published advertisement for vacant position of the Director of the B&H Press Council Secretariat  in daily newspapers. Ads published free of charge in newspapers whose members are also members of the Press Council - "Oslobodjenje", "Nezavisne novine", "Vecernji list, B&H Edition" and "Glas Srpske".

June

Several meetings of the Press Council's Working group for the transitional period in Sarajevo. Activity plan and scheme of meetings with representatives of domestic and international institutions and media prepared. Also, prepared budget proposal for the remaining part of year 2005.

June

Information on the Press Council and complaints procedure presented to public via paid advertisement in daily newspapers. OSCE Mission to B&H designed and financed publishing of the ad.

June

OSI, Open Society Institute, reallocated donation for the print media monitoring, amounting 25.000 Euro, for the operational costs of the Press Council in transitional period. Donation for the operational costs was reimbursed in two parts, first  part amounting 8.000 Euro, and second part amounting 7.050 Euro. Monitoring of print media was ended by the end of May. Prepared the preliminary report for period of four months of regular monitoring of print media.

31st May

Director of the Secretariat, Mr Nermin Durmo, steps down. The Council remains in very uncertain financial situation, faced with possible closing of the office and termination of activities.

March

The Press Council of B&H, with financial help of Chemonics, engaged a media expert from Holland, Mr Yasha Lange for held in making a Strategy for long-term financing of the B&H Press Council. Mr Lange and Director of the Secretariat, Mr Nermin Durmo, visited editors of print media and possible donors in B&H to discuss possible financing of the Press Council from the domestic institutions and media.

1st March

The Press Council of B&H sent letter to all print media outlets from neighbouring countries whose media are regularly sold in B&H, on obligation to respect the Press Code.

February

Beginning of realisation of the print media monitoring in B&H and preparation of the third Report on permanent monitoring of print media. for conduction of this activity engaged investigation team of the Mediacentar from Sarajevo. Received first part of donation from OSI, Open Society Institute, amounting 25.000 Euro.

January

OSI, Open Society Institute, approved donation for the project "Making a Press Code Work", preparation of the Third Report of the Press Council on print media monitoring. Total amount of donation: 50.000,00 EUR.

Year 2004

1st November

The Press Council of B&H sent an Open letter to House of Representatives of the B&H Parliament due to possible adoption of the VAT (value added tax) of 17% for all products, including the press.

October

Beginning of the operation campaign of the Press Council that includes distribution of the promotional material (Press Code and How to Complaint leaflet), radio and TV spots. Promotional campaign enabled by the IFA, Im Pakt Media amounting 38.913 KM.

October

Received Second Report on print media monitoring in B&H, prepared by the investigation team of the Mediacentar from Sarajevo. Results of the Second Monitoring Report indicate breach of the Press Code, especially following Articles: Article 13, Confidentiality of Sources, Article 6, Comment, Conjecture and Fact, Article 5, Accuracy and Fair Reporting, Article 1, General Provisions and Article 10, Persons Charged With Criminal Offences.

May

The Press Council of B&H prints and distributes Report No. 1 on permanent monitoring of print media. Report arouses numerous reactions of media, via articles in print media, RTV stories and participation of B&H Press Council representatives at many TV and radio show. Negative reactions of journalist related to monitoring results by which referring to Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic as "war crimes", instead of  "accused war crimes" presents breach of the Article 10 of the Press Code- Persons Charged With Criminal Offences.

April

Under auspices of the American Embassy in Sarajevo, Director of the Secretariat, Mr Nermin Durmo, participated one-month specialisation program in America. The Program comprised of intensive training for journalists and managers of print and electronic media from Balkans and Southeast Europe, held in New York, visit to leading print media in New York and Washington, and visit to only self-regulatory body in USA - Press Council of Minnesota.

20th February

Visit of the International Chairman of the B&H Press Council, Prof. Robert Pinker, and his associates to High Representative in B&H, Mr Paddy Ashdown. Discussion on print media, Press Council and current issues in print media.

February

Representatives of the Press Council held series of meetings with representatives of NGOs in B&H, educational institutions etc. Introduction with self-regulation of print media and work of the Press Council.

20th January

Representatives of the B&H Press Council, Director of the Secretariat, Mr Nermin Durmo, Manager for Media and Public Informing, Ms Edina Hawton and Complaints Officer, Ms Edisa Sikalo, held meeting with representatives of Open Society Institute, OSI foundation from Budapest.

1st January

Engaged investigation team of the Mediacentar from Sarajevo conducted First report on print media monitoring in B&H. Results of the monitoring state breach of following Articles of the Press Code: Article 7, Opportunity to Reply, Article 4, Discrimination, Article 10, Persons Charged With Criminal Offences, Article 9, Privacy and Article 13, Confidentiality of Sources. The Press Council Secretariat forwarded results of the monitoring team to members of the Press Council, for review and comments.

Year 2003

1st December

Signed contract with OSI foundation, Open Society Institute, on financing the project "Making a Press Code Work" - permanent monitoring of print media. For conducting of this project, monitoring and preparation of the Report engaged investigation team of Mediacentar from Sarajevo. Amount: 20.142 USD.

14th October

The Press Council of B&H signed agreement with Press Now organisation of financing the promotional campaign of the Press Council. Beginning of the campaign is middle of October.

16th July

Nominated new Manager for media and public informing, Ms EDINA HAVERIC HAWTON.

30th May

The Press Council of B&H sent letter to all print media editors emphasising stricter adherence to Article 11 of the Press Code - Protection of Children and Minors.

1st April

Nominated: new Director of the B&H Press Council Secretariat, Mr NERMIN DURMO and Manager for Media and Public Informing, Ms ZINAIDA BABOVIC.

14th February

The Press Council of B&H signed agreement with organisation SIDA, Swedish International Development Agency, from Sweden, on financing total operational costs of the Press Council for fourteen months. Total amount of donation: 108.506 Euro.

1st February

Received donation from the Embassy of UK for the promotional campaign of the Press Council. Total amount: 25.375 Euro.

Year 2002

24th December

Organisation Press Now from Holland partially covers operational costs of the Council. Total amount of donation:  8.938 Euro.

1st November

The Press Council received financial help from USA Embassy for the operational costs in transitional period. Amount: 5.693 USD.

20th September

The Press Council of B&H sent all media Guidelines for editors in pre-election period. Reminder on articles of the Press Code important to adhere with in this period.

13th September

International Chairman of the B&H Press Council, Mr Robert Pinker and International Adviser, Mr Dieter Loraine, brief the Steering Board of Peace Implementation Council, PIC, Ambassadors with work of the Press Council.

29th August

Director of the B&H Press Council, Mr Bojan Zec Filipovic, steps down.

11th February

Irregular Press Council session held in Sarajevo. Discussed decision of Lord Wakeham, first International Chairman of the Press Council, to step down from position of the International Chairman. Professor Robert Pinker, acting Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission of Great Britain, nominated and elected for acting Chairman of the B&H Press Council.

February

Lord Wakeham, International Chairman of the B&H Press Council, steps down from position of the International Chairman. Also, steps down from position of Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission of Great Britain, as moral act after being involved in financial fraud in company "Enron" in UK.

January

Representatives of the Press Council held meeting with representatives of the Permanent Election Commission to discuss regulations of print media reporting in election period.

Year 2001

12th November

The Press Council of B&H official opens office in Sarajvo.  The press conference held in the Secretariat premises, Dženetića čikma 2 street. Director of the Secretariat, Mr Bojan Zec Filipovic and member of the Council, Mr Dario Novalic, introduced journalists of print and electronic media with mission and activities of the Press Council, and system of self-regulation of print media whose application was enabled by establishment of the Press Council.

November

Received donation of the European Commission, approved in November 2000. Amount: 60.000 Euro.

21st September

Received first complaint on public on print media reporting: ABDS Society for Fund Management - daily "Dnevni avaz".  Complaint on articles "Economy vampirism" and "Deliberately destroyed Polihem to become privatised for small amount by BIG and Kmecka druzba" published on 8th and 17th September 2001 in daily "Dnevni avaz". Complaint not upheld due to complainant's refusal to act in accordance with Article 1 of the Complaints procedure of the Press Council.

September

The Press Council Secretariat moved to new office, Dzenetica cikma 2 street, in Sarajevo. Office equipment donated by British Embassy in amount of 12.845 KM (6.567,50 EUR).

July

The Press Council of B&H established as legal body in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with possibility to act at territory of whole B&H.

May

OSCE Mission of B&H financially helps Press Council in transitional period and provides premises for work of the Secretariat. Financial held in covering office expenses, salaries for two employees - Director of the Secretariat and Technical/Financial Secretariat.

1st May

Nominated first Director of the Secretariat, BOJAN ZEC FILIPOVIC.

April

Swedish International Development Agency, SIDA, approves donation for registration of the Press Council as legal body and establishment of the Secretariat. Amount of donation: 26.500 USD.

February

Nominated director of the Secretariat, Ms Ernadina Vajzovic, who refuses to take the position due to personal reasons.

Year 2000

November

The European Commission supports establishing of the Press Council in B&H, as the first self-regulatory body in Southeast Europe. Also approves donation for operational costs of the Council in amount of 60.000 Euro.

13th July
Lord Wakeham, Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission of Great Britain, accepts duty of the first International Chairman of the Press Council. Lord Wakeham accepts offer of the Working group for forming the Press Council who believed that the International Chairman might make balance between different ethnical groups in B&H, and with his significant experience in self-regulation and by good connection with representatives of the international organisations enable continuous work of the Press Council.

April

Printed the Press Code and Code of IMC for radio broadcasters at local languages and distributed to journalists, editors, newspapers and students.

Year 1999

September

The IMC, Independent Media Commission,  establishes a Working Group to investigate the establishment of a Press Council and report its findings and recommendations to the Presidents of the journalist associations. The Working Group is chaired by Mr. Dieter Loraine, Head of Public Affairs of the IMC. Included in the group were representatives of the five journalistic associations, OSCE, OHR, Irex Pro Media and EC.

August

Proposals of the journalists associations for membership of the Working group accepted.

July

All five journalists associations agreed to establish the B&H Press Council.

June

At the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe, AIPCE, conference in London the B&H Press Council is given the green light to join.

May

In the High Representative's report to the Secretary General of the United Nations it stated: 'A proposal, prepared by the IMC, for the establishment of a Press Council has now been delivered to the B&H journalist associations and key international organisations involved in media development.'

29th April

A 16-article Press Code is adopted by the 5 journalist associations. In agreement with 5 journalistic associations, the Trade Union felt it unnecessary to sign the Code. However, it publicly supported the Code. All major newspapers and magazines published the Code. Under the auspices of the IMC, discussions commence on a suitable body to implement the Code.

Year 1998

December

At the Peace Implementation Council PIC meeting in Madrid, the PIC members call for  '… an evaluation of the possibilities of establishing a Press Complaints Council or similar body which would be composed of journalists and respected citizens in B&H as well as one or more international representatives with legal or media experience...'

November

The IMC and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) co-organise a conference on Media and Democracy in Neum (southern Bosnia). A draft Press Code is tabled at the conference. The principles of implementing a Press Code are agreed by the conference and the draft Code is subsequently amended by the journalist associations.

October

A Memorandum of Understanding sponsored by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), is signed by the four journalist associations and the sole trade union: Independent Union of Professional Journalists, Union of Journalists of BiH, Independent Union of Journalists of Republika Srpska, Association of Journalists of Republika Srpska and Trade Union of Professional Journalists of Federation of BiH. Later, early in 2000 a further association signs the MoU: The Association of Croat Journalists of BiH.

June

Independent Media Commission (IMC) is established to regulate the broadcast media in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also introduces rules for the press during election periods only.