Bosnia-Herzegovina

[BA] Start of Organising the Media

IRIS 1998-10:1/21

Dusan Babic

Media Analyst, Sarajevo

As of 1 August 1998, the Independent Media Commission (IMC) officially commenced its work in Sarajevo. The High Representative had legally established the IMC when passing the decision on the Commission's work in June and thus enabling the setting-up of the organisational framework for the pursuit of media activities in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The IMC is projected to serve the following purposes: provide broadcasting licensing, establish professional codes of conduct, receive complaints and monitor the media, and cooperate with local authorities. Following the opinion expressed by the Commission's director, the IMC rests upon two basic principles: The first pillar shall consist of the generally-accepted European media standards and the second is embodied in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In other words, the IMC's primary task shall be to bring the media in Bosnia-Herzegovina in complete harmony with European media standards. This includes the development of appropriate media legislation.

Among other obligations, the IMC will exercise the management of the frequency spectrum with the aim of preventing mutual interference.

The Commission will transfer as soon as possible and feasible its powers and responsibilities to a domestic body.