The role of media in the process of European integration was the main topic at the meeting of local journalists with Head of EU Delegation and EU Special Representative Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark in Mostar on 14 May.

Ambassador Wigemark stated that the process of EU integration affects the whole society and that media have the ability to transfer the essence of the European Union to citizens. He stressed that this process can be viewed in two significantly different ways – as a very detailed and exclusive technical process or as a purely political process.

“In order for this process to be functional and provide true results, not only in BiH but in all of the countries of the Western Balkans, it is necessary first and foremost to understand what the real needs of this process are and what is the interaction between administration, politics and the wider society, all in the context of civil society and the role of the media”, Ambassador Wigemark said.

Director of the Center for Investigative Reporting from Sarajevo Leila Bičakčić spoke about the importance of media literacy in the context of ‘fake news’ emphasizing political and economic aspects of the issue.

Since this year’s celebration of Europe Day is dedicated to the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the event ended with a presentation of the cultural heritage of Herzegovina by Ivanka Miličević Capek, Director of the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural and Historical Heritage of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.