Balancing the mitigation of harmful online content while fostering freedom of expression and public debate is a key challenge in contemporary societies.

A groundbreaking publication “Towards coregulation of harmful content online in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A study of European standards and co-regulatory practices for combating harmful content online” is now available in English and Bosnian languages.

Produced with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the study provides the Communication Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CRA) and other interested stakeholders with a thorough analysis of the existing standards and governance models at the European level, against the background of the domestic legal and regulatory framework. It also examines practices related to harmful online content in Bosnia and Herzegovina and recommends concrete steps and measures for improvement.

The study particularly focuses on the possibilities and modalities for the establishment of a functioning and comprehensive implementation mechanism based on co-regulation and cooperation. The recommendations align with emerging European Standards, including the European Union Digital Services Act (DSA). It will serve as the foundation for a multi-stakeholder advocacy process from 2024 onwards, in pursuit of a successful model for combating harmful online content.

The publication of the Study was supported within the framework of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, and its action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PRO-FREX)”.