DODIK: JASENKO TODOROVIĆ CASE REFLECTS PRESSURE ON MEDIA FREEDOMS

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 8 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik said that the questioning of journalist Jasenko Todorović over his role as host of a television program represents a continuation of what he described as a political inquisition against freedom of speech, freedom of thought, media freedom and journalists' right to do their job, adding that Serbs will never bow to pressure or imposed decisions.

Dodik said Todorović's questioning by the State Investigation and Protection Agency /SIPA/ was another attempt at intimidation originating from Sarajevo. "Those who swear by democracy and European values on a daily basis are today questioning journalists because of public debate and spoken words," Dodik wrote on the social media platform X. He argued that it is particularly ironic that such actions are being carried out by those who simultaneously advocate for BiH to remain the only country in Europe where final decisions are made by an unelected foreign official rather than by the people and their institutions. "Perhaps judging by themselves, they cannot understand that Serbs will never bow their heads to pressure and imposed solutions," Dodik stressed. He added that Todorović is not an isolated case, but rather one of a number of individuals whom authorities are attempting to make examples of in order to intimidate others. "So, Jasenko, do not worry. With every such action, they are not showing that you did something wrong, but rather revealing their own fear of free speech. Republika Srpska knows how to recognize and appreciate people who do their jobs honorably and professionally," Dodik said. Journalist Jasenko Todorović was questioned today at the SIPA office in Banja Luka after a complaint was filed alleging that "genocide in Srebrenica was denied" during the television program "Drugi Ugao", which aired more than a year ago.