˝The Only Croatian Part In Komsic Is A Bullet?˝

All of three constitutive nations in BH, have their ˝own media˝.

In separated Bosnia-Herzegovina, media is also separated. So every people has its own media. Let us concentrate on daily newspapers that are plentyful in BH. BH Croats have their Mostar´s ˝Dnevni list˝, and for BH markets there is also edition of ˝Vecernji list˝ in about 10,000 – 12,000 copies daily. Serbs have ˝Glas Srpske˝ but also evening edition of Belgrade´s ˝Vecernje novosti˝ and ˝Euro Blic˝. ˝Dnevni avaz˝ is considered as a Muslim newspaper although it is very specific. With 42,000 sold copies daily it is convincingly the newspaper with a highest-circulaton. That number is reaching to 100,000 on Friday, which is a tremendous amount for BH conditions. There are also ˝Oslobodjenje˝ and ˝Nezavisne novine˝, two newspapers  of citizen orientation. Some speculations are saying that the oldest BH newspaper ˝Oslobodjenje˝ is representing the social-democratic option,  and ˝Nezavisne˝ certain citizens, ateistic but still pro-Serbian option.  

Everyone praises their own

As a rule, all of the mentioned newspapers are promoting certain interests, certain groups, religions communities or certain public persons. So, ˝Dnevni avaz˝ is the first to stand for Muslim people. Focusing mostly on Islam and reis Mustafa el. Ceric, Haris Silajdic and Sulejman Tihic, while attacking BH Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Zlatko Lagumdzija (using the phrases like ˝truncated SDP˝) and the Republika Srpska Premier Milorad Dodik (using the phrases like ˝smaller entity˝). But, ˝Dnevni avaz˝ is very correct while reporting about other nations, especially religions, so it is possible to find sections, even a special addition on Catholic or Orthodox Christmas on its pages.

The Croat oriented ˝Dnevni list˝ and especially ˝Vecernji list˝, yet in editor policy are representing something what they call ˝defence of Croatianism and Catholicism˝. Articles and subjects related to Croats and BH Croats connections to Croatia are dominating. ˝Vecernji list˝ espacially is taking an example with articles about analyzing Croat positions in BH, expressing dissatisfaction, warning about lack of security for Catholics, watching the relations between state and Church, etc. Specific is the stand of this newspaper towards member of BH parliament Zeljko Komisic. Declared atheist and the example of BH Croat who is not up to everybody's bounds (Sarajevo-born, atheist, former member of the BH army, does not speak Croatian, does not have a Croatian passport, etc.). So it occured that ˝Vecernji list˝ journalist asked Komsic in an interwiev ˝Is there anything Croatian except the bullet in him?!!˝.

˝Dnevni list˝ and ˝Vecernji list˝ are covering the subjects about other nations but not in the quantity as ˝Dnevni avaz˝ does.

But, the newspapers related to the Serb people are story for itself. They, not only denying life of other nations and religions in BH,  but creating a picture in which Republika Srpska exists as a separate state.

From total ignorance to false picture about others

˝Glas Srpske˝ is taking an example in that, and the newspaper name is showing their orientation the best. Subjects and stands about endangered Orthodoxism and betrayed Serbianism are the most represented ones. 90 percent of published articles as research of ˝Sarajevo Media Institute˝ is showing are related to Orthodoxism, the Serb nation and their problems. In the period of big national holidays, during the end of December last year and begining of January of 2007, Muslim Kurbam Bajram and Jewish Hanuka are completley ignored. Not a word was written about it, while about Catholic Christmas only a few articles.  Editors of that newspaper did not even consider to publish the appeal of  Banja Luka bishop Franjo Komarica about how 90 percent of Catholic believers have not returned to their homes in Republika Srpska. On the other hand, Orthodoxism was very well represented with lots of space dedicated to St. Stefan and  the Republika Srpska Day, that is celebrated on January, 9.

When Islam is considered, very negative approach towards that religion is obvious. In the March editions, in 90 percent of cases ˝Glas Srpske˝ wrote about bad sides of Islam, such as existance of Mujaheddin in BH, making a partial picture and presenting it to public.

Merry peace in the Lord 

Special story is the highest-circulating Serb newspaper ˝Vecernje novosti˝, publishing a special section named ˝Republika Srpska˝ in its edition. Of course with absolute domination on subjects dedicated to Serb people. Beside complete ignorance on objective reporting about  the other religions, especially Islam, and the lack of space dedicated to Catholics, one (un)intentional mistake is significant.  By coincidence or not, during the Catholic Christmas celebration, Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica send his best wishes to belivers at midnight mass in the Cathedral. And that is correct. The only thing that is strange are lines under the photograph in the article saying ˝The Sermon: Peace in the Lord, Christ is born.˝, what is more proper for Orthodx, not Catholic Christmas.  The article is published on December, 29. on page 19. Was that an intentional mistake of provocation, the question is now?