This is the second time in 8 months the Mayor has attacked the press

Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka

Date: April 5, 2024

Women Press Freedom strongly denounces the assault by Mayor Milan Kovač of Šipovo on CAPITAL journalists Bojana Ninković and Siniša Vukelić. The mayor's intimidation and verbal abuse towards reporters investigating his company is unacceptable. Regrettably, this isn't an isolated incident; Mayor Kovač previously targeted journalists Alena Beširević and Harun Dinarević in a similar manner last September. Such persistent assaults on the press cannot be tolerated, and when an elected official perpetrates attacks, they are particularly egregious. We demand accountability; authorities must thoroughly investigate Mayor Kovač's actions and hold him responsible for his assaults on journalists.

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On April 5, 2024, Mayor Milan Kovač of Šipovo verbally attacked journalists Bojana Ninković and editor-in-chief Siniša Vukelić from the CAPITAL news portal. 

Ninković and Vukelić were investigating Kovač's company Drvna industrija Šipovo. The journalists were trying to understand why forced bond collection proceedings were started against Kovač's company for delayed payments. Instead of discussing or clarifying, Kovač insulted and threatened the journalists over the phone, accusing them of dishonesty and using degrading language. Even after being told the conversation was being recorded, Kovač continued his tirade, dismissing their professionalism and threatening them.

CAPITAL's editorial team quickly condemned Kovač's actions, calling them an attack on press freedom and journalistic integrity. The outlet intends to take legal action against the mayor for his attack on its reporters. 

This is not the first time Mayor Milan Kovač has acted aggressively toward the press. In September 2023, Bosnian journalists Alena Beširević and Harun Dinarević were subjected to misogynistic, sexist, and homophobic insults from Mayor Kovač. This came after they reported on corruption in the forestry sector involving the mayor. Kovač's insults included sexual remarks and threats.

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the repeated behavior of Mayor Milan Kovač of Šipovo, who has once again threatened and verbally abused members of the press for their reporting. This disgraceful conduct cannot go unanswered. We stand in solidarity with journalists Bojana Ninković and Siniša Vukelić and fully support any legal action they choose to pursue against the Mayor. His consistent mistreatment of journalists shows a blatant disregard for independent media and suggests a belief that he can act aggressively without consequence. As an elected official, Mayor Kovač and his associated companies are subject to media scrutiny, and his insulting and demeaning treatment of investigative journalists is fundamentally anti-democratic and threatens press freedom. We call on authorities to thoroughly investigate Mayor Milan Kovač and ensure he is held accountable for his actions.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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