OSCE expert workshop promotes voluntary co-operation between public actors, media in the fight against terrorism

VIENNA, 19 October 2009 - More than 100 experts, government and international organization officials and journalists gathered at an OSCE expert workshop that began today to discuss ways to enhance co-operation between public actors and the news media in the fight against terrorism.

The two-day meeting, organized by the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit, aims to foster dialogue on how such co-operation can counter terrorism while also promoting press freedom and freedom of expression.

"The media play an important role in fighting terrorism and managing the consequences of terrorist attacks making co-operation between the media and governments vital," said Raphael Perl, the Head of the Action against Terrorism Unit. "Such co-operation should, however, never be carried out at the expense of press freedom, which is central to a functioning and pluralistic democracy."

The first day of the meeting included discussions on how to develop voluntary public-private partnerships to enable media to support efforts to battle terrorism and promote tolerance. Topics in focus tomorrow include how the public can be swiftly and accurately informed in case of a terrorist attack.

The OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit promotes public-private partnerships with the media to tackle terrorism.

Leonid Zolotarevskiy, a member of Presidium of the Russia-based International Academy of Television and Radio who spoke at the workshop, said that television had a special role to play in preventing and combating terrorism and other related threats. He suggested that a code of conduct for television in terrorism-related matters, to be worked out with the assistance of international organizations, and training courses for television journalists on anti-drug matters would be beneficial for the fight against terrorism.

The event was partially funded by the Moscow City Government of the Russian Federation