Leading European and international media organisations have called on the European Commission to intervene urgently as Bosnia & Herzegovina’s state-level public broadcaster, BHRT, nears collapse due to long-term financial obstruction and political inaction.

In a joint open letter, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Central and Eastern European public broadcasters, and media freedom groups warned that BHRT’s shutdown would end independent journalism at the national level, fuel disinformation and threaten regional stability.

The broadcaster has been deprived of more than €46mn in legally mandated RTV-fee revenues by the Republika Srpska broadcaster RTRS since 2017. The withheld funds have left BHRT unable to pay staff salaries, pensions, and essential operating costs, the letter said.

“BHRT’s collapse would eliminate the only independent, state-level source of information, deepen the influence of foreign-backed disinformation networks, and undermine Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession process,” the statement said.

The coalition urged domestic authorities to ensure proper funding, resolve unpaid pension contributions, and establish a sustainable financing model. It also called on the European Commission and the international community to act immediately, warning that the crisis poses risks to media freedom, democracy and security in the region.

Signatories of the letter included the EBU, European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), PEN International, Reporters Without Borders, the International Federation of Journalists, Article 19, and public broadcasters from across Europe including Czech Television, RTVSLO, Suspilne, RTK, LRT, and others.

The joint appeal reflects growing concern that public service media are critical for democracy and social stability in Bosnia, where surveys indicate higher public trust in media than in other institutions.