The Steering Committee of BH Journalists and the Free Media Help Line (FMHL) express their regret over the announcement of the shutdown of the regional television Al Jazeera Balkans (AJB) headquartered in Sarajevo, with programming for the entire region of former Yugoslavia. It is particularly concerning that a media outlet with completely stable financing and high standards of protection for the rights and professional integrity of its journalists is closing.

For 14 years, this television company has reported on the most significant topics of the Balkans and the world in a professional manner, opened a media debate on the key challenges of peace and stability in our region, and been a leader in documentary and educational programs aimed at the broadest audience. The Steering Committee of BH Journalists believes that the shutdown of Al Jazeera Balkans will significantly reduce media diversity and pluralism in the entire region, leaving the audience without a reliable and credible source of information. This will be an irreparable blow to the media community of the region and a narrowing of space for diverse opinions and critical journalism in the public interest.

The Steering Committee of BH Journalists is particularly concerned about the fate of the 209 employees of AJB who learned from other media that the television station where they work is shutting down. In this context, BH Journalists call on the management and administration of AJB to share information regarding the closure of this media outlet with journalists and all other employees, including the reasons for such a drastic decision. Additionally, the Management Board of BH Journalists demands that AJB management terminate employment contracts for all employees in a lawful manner and in accordance with the positive regulations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically the Federation of BiH.

BH Journalists express full support to the journalists of AJB and are available for any type of legal, psychological, and other assistance. At the same time, the Management Board of the association calls on the journalistic community of BiH for professional unity and solidarity, whether individual or collective, in order to at least somewhat mitigate the consequences of the closure of AJB.



The Steering Commuttee of BH Journalists