A group of Bosnian and Herzegovinian non-governmental organizations, appealed to the Sarajevo City Council to give this year’s Six April Award to the team of political magazine 60 Minuta which is being broadcast on Federal television of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The award should be given for their continuous work on topics that are of vital importance in the fight against corruption and crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The award should also be given for fighting against fascism in B&H and demonstrating civil courage.
The importance of their work has thus far been measured more often by physical and verbal attacks on journalists who are part of this magazine. Media, as well as non-governmental organizations, are a part of civil society, thus it is of outmost importance to support their rights and freedoms. Attacking journalists not only violates their rights and freedoms, but also deteriorates the rights of all of citizens’ rights of public speech, freedom of expression and safe working conditions.
Since being established, Six April Award has been given to persons and organizations that in various ways, fight for justice, freedom and equality, development and progress of society. In this case, Six April Award can serve in protecting the team of 60 Minuta from persecution to which they are exposed.
In 2004 the TV political magazine 60 Minuta was awarded the first Award of Journalistic Integrity, given by Transparency International BiH, for contribution regarding media struggle against corruption.
This initiative is being sent to Sarajevo City Council with a request to be included in the proposed list of nominees for Six April Award this year. All citizens in B&H are strongly encouraged to join this initiative and show their courage in a way that they will award the courageous.
Signers of the initiative: ACIPS, CPCD, CCI, Zašto ne?, Transparency International, Demokratski omladinski pokret, UG Akcija Građana, Pokret DOSTA, OP Revolt, Media Centar Sarajevo, Foundation CURE.
