Assessment of media development in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This project is part of a wider UNESCO initiative to assess the strengths and weaknesses of national media sectors worldwide using a common analytical framework: the UNESCO Media Development Indicators (MDI). This framework and its set of indicators were endorsed by the Organization’s Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) in 2008.

This study, conducted between 2017 and 2019, provides an overview of the media landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The importance of full respect for freedom of expression in BiH was recognised by the international community shortly after the war of 1992-1995. Having in mind the role of media in raising tensions and incitement, there was a great emphasis placed on the creation of media legislation and conducting media reform in the country. However, even though the set of legislation was updated in line with international standards and focused on the creation of a pluralistic and free media landscape, the implementation of the laws in some aspects remains problematic. 

The goal of the study is to identify the framework in which media operate in BiH; determine the existing problems; and provide recommendations in which improvements and reforms can be made – so that BiH can make another step in deepening its democracy with full respect of freedom of expression and media freedom based on international standards. The study is a comprehensive analysis and contains evidence-based recommendations on media development. The aim is to contribute to discussions and advocacy activities regarding the media sector in the country and to serve as an instrument that clearly identifies problems to be addressed and thereby inform effective policies for the improvement of, and assistance to, the media sector in BiH.