VIENNA, 19 June 2009 - Journalists, editors and experts from the OSCE Mediterranean Partner States and OSCE participating States gathered today to discuss the merits, mechanisms and challenges of media self-regulation at a seminar organized by the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media.

"Media self-regulation, with its voluntary editorial guidelines and openness to the public, is the most credible solution for responsible quality journalism," said Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, at the opening.

"By regulating themselves, independent media accept their share of responsibility for the quality of public discourse. Invariably, media freedom is an indispensable prerequisite for a functioning self-regulatory system endorsed by the public."

Experts from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia will discuss the OSCE's best practices in media self-regulation with colleagues from the OSCE participating States during the one-day seminar. Participants also will reflect on the relationship between freedom, responsibility and professionalism in the media.

The seminar aims to raise awareness of the role of self-regulatory mechanisms, with a special focus on enhancing mutual trust and understanding. The Media Self-Regulation Guidebook, published by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in 2008, will be used as a basis for the discussions. The book is available on the OSCE website: http://www.osce.org/item/30697.html