THE media coverage of the elections in Bosnia Herzegovina was so marred it called into question the poll itself, according to the European Institute for the Media (EIM).
The EIM was commissioned by the European Union to monitor the media during the election and did so from July 22nd.
In its preliminary report it stated that it found serious shortcomings in the performance of the media throughout the area, but especially in Republika Srpska and the Croat controlled parts of the federation.
Lack of freedom of movement impaired the right of Bosnians to be impartially informed about the political choices facing them.
Authorities in some areas were in violation of regulations governing the election.
While journalists were not allowed the movement and freedoms necessary to do their job, some of the major broadcasting organisations failed to provide impartial and fair coverage of the election.
The monitoring team noted that ruling parties benefited from a greater allocation of time, not only on state run, but also on privately run media.
Press coverage within the Bosnian part of the federation was "on the whole exemplified by a healthy pluralism in contrast to the situation in the Republika Srpska and the Croat controlled part of the federation."
The media suffered from inadequacies and shortcomings in terms of funding, professional standards, problems of distribution and lack of independence from existing political structures and parties. However, the report pointed out that the pre-war background of Yugoslavia was that of a one party state with regime control of the media and and absence of private ownership.
The report has recommended that the new Bosnian authorities and the international community work to strengthen the role of the independent media and the public broadcasting sector.