The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media have expressed serious concern over the live broadcast of a commemoration for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić by Radio Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS).
In a statement, the OSCE said it was particularly concerned that speakers repeatedly praised Mladić during the broadcast, while RTRS has also announced a special morning program related to his funeral.
The OSCE stressed that Mladić’s convictions for genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war were upheld on appeal in 2021, as was his life sentence.
“Reporting on events of legitimate public interest is an essential part of media freedom and editorial independence,” the OSCE said.
However, it emphasized that while media outlets have the right and responsibility to report on events of public interest, broadcasting content that praises a convicted war criminal without appropriate editorial context or reference to established judicial facts is particularly concerning.
“Public broadcasters have a special responsibility to ensure accurate, impartial and appropriately contextualized journalistic reporting,” the statement said.
OSCE calls for regulatory review
The OSCE also pointed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code, noting that Article 145a, paragraph 6, criminalizes the glorification of individuals who have been finally convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.
The organization said it was for the competent judicial institutions to determine whether the RTRS broadcast may have violated the Criminal Code.
Regardless of any potential criminal proceedings, the OSCE Mission and the Representative on Freedom of the Media called on the Communications Regulatory Agency (CRA) to conduct a prompt and independent assessment of the broadcast.
They urged the regulator to examine whether the program complied with Articles 4(8), 5 and 7 of the CRA Code on Audiovisual Media Services and Radio Media Services and to respond proportionately to any violations identified.
The OSCE emphasized that respect for established judicial facts and the dignity of victims and survivors is essential to responsible journalism, reconciliation and lasting peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It also called on media outlets to ensure that coverage of Mladić’s upcoming funeral is accurate, properly contextualized and consistent with applicable professional and ethical standards.
The warning comes amid renewed controversy over the public honoring of Mladić, who was convicted of genocide in Srebrenica and other war crimes committed during the 1992–1995 Bosnian war. His legacy remains deeply divisive across Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region, with survivors and victims’ families repeatedly opposing attempts to portray him as a national or military hero.
