The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has expressed concern over the state of media freedom in Slovenia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Vienna-based OSCE said Friday that the trial of Slovenian journalist Anuška Delić poses a threat to free media and could “stifle" investigative journalism in Slovenia.
Delić, an investigative journalist with the daily newspaper Delo, is being prosecuted for publishing classified information leaked to her in November 2011. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 15. If convicted, she could face a prison term of up to three years.
The OSCE said national security concerns must be "properly weighed" against public interest.
Also Friday, the OSCE condemned death threats made against Siniša Vukelić, editor of an online portal based in Banja Luka. The threats follow a string of attacks on journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina this year.
The OSCE welcomed the swift reaction of the police to launch an investigation and identify the perpetrator. It called on Bosnian authorities to do their utmost to investigate the attacks and bring those responsible to justice.
