Media Development in Bosnia

Abstract

This article examines public perceptions of the news and information sector in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Since the signing of the Dayton Peace Accord in late 1995, the international community has donated millions of dollars to foster free and fair media. This research explores the media transition in Bosnia through a four-year longitudinal study. The research design measured public perceptions (N = 1689) of the realism, importance and credibility of news outlets in the two major media centers: Banja Luka and Sarajevo. The findings suggest that over time Bosnians are relying less on politically motivated news outlets. Moreover, some independent media have emerged as both important and credible sources for news and information.