REZIME I PREPORUKE

Od međunarodnog odstupanja prema “vlasništvu” i politici baziranoj na proširenju EU prema Bosni i Hercegovini prije jedne decenije, politička retorika u javnom prostoru, podržana putem medija, se sve više polarizirala i postala zapaljivija. Jako izražene nacionalističke teme koje artikuliraju političari i njihovi pobornici, koje se vrte oko budućnosti države i navodne prijetnje etničkih zajednica od strane i domaćih i stranih protivnika (i njihovih tobožnjih lokalnih saveznika) radikalizirali su javni govor i doprinijeli atmosferi straha i homogeniziranja. “Rat” je ponovo postao aktualna tema.

Ova pojava bila je primjetna u pisanju medija tokom općinskih izbora 2012, općih izbora 2014, u pitanjima i događanjima u vezi Srebrenice, djelima islamističkog terorizma i narodnim protestima u februaru 2014. U svakom slučaju, politički lideri, sumnjivi “eksperti” i komentatori su pothranjivali dinamiku koja bi mogla imati kobne posljedice u sadašnjem BiH okruženju bez pravila – efektno proizvodeći nestabilnost koja bi se mogla potpaliti namjerno ili slučajno. I dok svi oni sa neostvarenim agendama to traže bez uzdržavanja da bi formirali percepcije i mišljenja u medijskoj areni, najdosljednije i najradikalnije poruke stižu od vlade Republike Srpske, posebno predsjednika Milorada Dodika. Dok BiH političari definiraju agende, politički zavisni mediji rade na tome kako da zapale, zaplaše, izazovu gnjev i podstiču strah. Ova dominantna informacija je ključni element održanja života BiH političke elite.

Vijeće za demokratizaciju politike (DPC) preporučuje sljedeće kako bi se umanjio efekat zapaljive političke retorike i govora mržnje u BiH:

• Mediji moraju zadržati kritičku distancu kad izvještavaju o zapaljivim političkim saopćenjima predstavnika političkih elita i vladinih zvaničnika, posebno u naglašavanju (na primjer u naslovima).

• Mediji moraju odvojiti izvještavanje od komentara, drastično smanjiti njihovo oslanjanje na anonimne izvore i uzdržati se od vođenja kampanje.

• Procijeniti opcije za jačanje sveukupne uloge Udruženja novinara BiH i Regulatorne agencije (RAK) u borbi protiv zapaljive retorike i govora mržnje.

• Nastaviti s podrškom alternativnih medija i glasova da bi im se omogućilo da prošire svoj djelokrug, doseg i pristup.

• Preispitati mandate i sastav Centralne izborne komisije BiH (CEC) kako bi se poboljšala njena moć da obuzda zapaljivu retoriku i govor mržnje tokom izbornih kampanja.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Since the international retreat to an “ownership” and EU enlargement-based policy toward Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) a decade ago, political rhetoric in the public space, propagated through the media, has become more polarizing and inflammatory. The pronounced nationalist themes articulated by politicians and their adjuncts, revolving around the future of the state and alleged threats posed to ethnic collectives by adversaries both domestic and foreign (and their supposed local allies), have radicalized the public discourse and contributed to an ambient of fear and homogenization. The topic of “war” has returned to popular discussion.

This phenomenon has been observable in media coverage of the 2012 municipal elections, 2014 general elections, issues and events relating to Srebrenica, acts of Islamist terrorism, and popular protests of February 2014. In each instance, political leaders, dubious “experts,” and commentators have all fed a dynamic which could have dire consequences in BiH’s current rules-free environment – effectively generating volatility which could ignite by design or by accident. And while all those with unfulfilled agendas are pursuing them without restraint to form perceptions and opinions in the media arena, the most consistent and radical messaging is emanating from the Republika Srpska Government, and President Milorad Dodik in particular. While BiH politicians define the agenda, the politically captured media provides the means to inflame, intimidate, provoke anger, and stoke fear. This information dominance is a vital element of the BiH political elites’ life support system.

DPC recommends the following to reduce the impact of inflammatory political rhetoric and hate speech in BiH:

• The media must maintain critical distance when reporting inflammatory political statements by representatives of the political elites and government officials, especially in highlighting them (for example in headlines).

• The media must separate reporting from commentary, drastically reduce their reliance on anonymous sources, and abstain from campaign journalism.

• Assess the options for strengthening the oversight role of the Press Council of BiH and the Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) in fighting inflammatory rhetoric and hate speech.

• Continue to support alternative media outlets and voices to enable them to broaden their scope, reach, and access.

• Reassess the mandate and composition of the Central Election Commission of BiH (CEC) with a view to improving its capability to curb inflammatory rhetoric and hate speech during election campaigns.