Conference on Violence Against Women in the Media: “We Will Not Stay Silent”

The results of a regional research presented today in Sarajevo show that nearly 80 percent of women journalists have experienced some form of gender-based violence.

The conference, held in Sarajevo on April 20, 2026, presented the findings of a regional research on the prevalence and patterns of violence against women in the media, and opened a professional and public discussion on the responsibility of the media sector in building a safe and equal working environment.

The conference, titled »Women in the Media: Ending Workplace Harassment in the Media Industry in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina,« was organized by five partner organizations that conducted the study – Zavod Krog, Slovenian Association of Journalists, Trade Union of Croatian Journalists, Trade Union of Culture, Art and Media "Nezavisnost", and Mediacentar Sarajevo.

Journalists’ unions, professional associations, and media organizations carried out, within the framework of the »Women in the Media« project co-financed by the European Union, the first in-depth joint research that goes beyond previous findings and provides an empirically grounded understanding of women’s working conditions in the media.

»This research is important because it clearly shows that harassment and violence against women in the media are not isolated incidents, but a structural problem deeply rooted in workplace relations, power hierarchies, and newsroom culture,” said Maja Sever, President of the European Federation of Journalists.

According to her, the data clearly indicate that violence and discrimination are often normalized, rarely reported, and even more rarely sanctioned, thereby perpetuating a vicious cycle of silence, fear, and professional insecurity.

»We will not stay silent. It is high time that this issue moves beyond the framework of individual experiences and becomes a matter of responsibility for the entire media sector—from editorial offices and owners to institutions and professional organizations. A safe and dignified working environment is not an option, but a prerequisite. Without it, there is no free or professional journalism,« she added.

Serious shortcomings in implementation and protection mechanisms

Workplace harassment is not only a matter of fundamental rights and human dignity, but also one of the core European values, said Mojca Krisper Figueroa, Team Leader in the Cooperation Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

»Evidence-based research such as this represents an important step toward understanding the working conditions faced by women in the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the region. We can see that, despite the existing legal framework, there are still gaps in implementation and protection mechanisms, which highlights the need for stronger enforcement and concrete workplace practices,« she said.

She added that the European Union is pleased to support initiatives that counter gender-based violence and stereotypes, in line with gender equality strategies, and »encourages institutions and media organizations to adopt zero-tolerance policies, improve reporting systems, and ensure a safe and equal working environment for all.«

»Ensuring that women can work in the media sector without harassment is essential for the integrity and credibility of the media,« she emphasized.

A systemic risk embedded in professional culture and institutional practices

The research included hundreds of media workers, 78.38 percent of whom stated that they had experienced some form of gender-based violence, including threats, gender-based discrediting, sexual harassment, and physical violence. These findings confirm that violence is not an isolated incident nor does it come exclusively »from outside,« but represents a systemic risk embedded in the professional culture and institutional practices of the media sector. At the same time, the research points to often invisible processes of resistance, intergenerational solidarity, and change within the profession.

»Particular attention was paid to documenting experiences of harassment, their frequency, and other workplace rights violations, regardless of whether participants were willing to label such experiences as such,« said Lamija Kovačević, a researcher at Mediacentar Sarajevo, who worked alongside Boriš Mraović on the national-level research in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Given the comprehensive methodology and the involvement of numerous experts in its preparation and validation, she was surprised by the high response rate. In Bosnia and Herzegovina alone, respondents accounted for 10 percent of the country’s total number of journalists.

»The interest in the topic did not surprise us, but it is notable that a large number of women were willing to complete such a complex questionnaire with more than 50 questions, and that many respondents trusted us enough to discuss this topic with us in more detail,« she added.

Interviews revealed that women face numerous challenges in the workplace and, although aware of violations of their rights, often downplay their impact in order to continue working in unsafe environments.

According to Petra Lesjak Tušek, journalist and editor at Večer, former president of the Slovenian Association of Journalists and a member of the working group, »in turbulent times, when attacks on women journalists are increasing, strong support for colleagues within newsrooms themselves is essential.« She added: »Solidarity should not be merely a reaction to violations and reports, but a guiding principle within editorial teams, serving as protection against sexual and other forms of harassment. The workplace must be a cultivated space we enter safely—as respected and equal colleagues. I believe an important step has been taken in this, the only right direction of cooperation.«

Rulebook on preventing sexual and other forms of harassment in newsrooms

The conference also presented comparative insights into key findings on workplace harassment across Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as country-specific results. A Rulebook on preventing sexual and other forms of harassment in newsrooms was also introduced. The document was developed by experts in law, media, gender equality, and responses to violence against women, along with experienced journalists from all four countries.

»The Rulebook does not cover only sexual harassment, but a broader spectrum of behavior—from verbal and digital violence, threats, and physical attacks to discrediting campaigns and violations of labor rights—and is tailored to newsroom environments. It applies not only to employees, but also to all others working in newsrooms under different forms of contractual cooperation,” said Veljko Milić of the Trade Union of Culture, Art and Media "Nezavisnost«, who presented the Rulebook.

According to him, its importance lies in introducing »clear procedures and protection mechanisms: from confidential reporting and anonymity in early stages, to the role of an independent commissioner and a two-step procedure, as well as concrete protective measures and a ban on retaliation.«

»It is particularly important that the Rulebook also recognizes situations in which harassment comes from third parties—such as interviewees, political actors, or audiences—which is a common reality in journalism but rarely regulated,« he added.

In conclusion, Špela Lampe Cakići, Project Manager at Zavod Krog, emphasized that the project »Women in the Media: Ending Workplace Harassment in the Media Industry in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina« represents a highly important three-year initiative worth over one million euros, co-financed by the European Union under the CERV programme. The CERV programme focuses on strengthening equality, protecting rights, and promoting fundamental values, with the aim of achieving concrete and sustainable social change.

Given the alarming findings showing that more than 78 percent of women have experienced some form of workplace harassment, she stated that these figures »clearly confirm that this is a systemic problem requiring urgent and decisive action.« She also announced that »the project is now entering its next phase—implementing an awareness-raising campaign and strengthening capacities through training of key target groups, including managers, journalists, and students.«

The research findings are available here.

The conference and the research were organized within the framework of the project »Ending Workplace Harassment in the Media Industry in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina – Women in the Media,« with financial support from the European Union.