Commissioner Kos: Without real freedom of expression, no EU membership is possible

Commissioner Kos: Without real freedom of expression, no EU membership is possible

The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, opened the third conference "Media and Civil Society: Critical Voices Under Pressure", held today at Europe House in Sarajevo. The event, organised by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina brought together journalists, civil society representatives, and international experts to discuss the growing challenges to independent voices in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In her keynote speech, Commissioner Kos stressed that a free media and civil society are essential for democracy and underlined the European Union's strong support for independent journalism and civil society.

"Critical voices are under pressure, not just here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But also in many parts of the European Union and around the world. This is very dangerous for our democracies. Because informed citizens who can trust what they read and hear are essential to keep those in power accountable. When independent media or civil society are silenced, our ability to preserve democracy is weakened. This is the playbook of autocrats," she said.

Commissioner Kos highlighted recent negative developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the recriminalisation of defamation in Republika Srpska and the adoption of the so-called "foreign agents" law, which was subsequently annulled by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2025, but which has contributed to pressures on civil society.

"Our priority in the enlargement process is to strengthen democratic spaces and open societies. Without real freedom of expression, no EU membership is possible," Kos emphasised.

The Commissioner also announced continued EU financial support for independent media and civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including €6.9 million in upcoming funding.

The conference featured two panel discussions. The first panel addressed the pressures facing media and civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina while the second panel explored the role of international donor support in strengthening independent voices. Concluding the event, speakers reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding democratic space in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that media freedom and a vibrant civil society are prerequisites for the country's EU path.

Full speech of Commissioner Kos at the conference is available here.