OSCE Representative, as recipient of “Dialogue of Cultures” award, addresses media congress of young journalists in Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russian Federation, 18 November 2015 – Following the announcement by Russia’s Council of Mediacongress that the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović is to receive the “Dialogue of Cultures” award, the Representative said she was honoured to receive the prize and repeated her call to Russia’s authorities to fulfil OSCE media freedom commitments and to ensure journalists’ safety and the media’s independence.

“I will continue to work for an open dialogue of cultures through different activities,” Mijatović said. “The dialogue initiated by my Office in 2014 between Russian and Ukrainian journalists organizations is an excellent example of how people can be brought together to address a common problem with mutual efforts.”

In her speech at the media congress in St. Petersburg, Mijatović expressed concern about the recent years’ media freedom developments in the OSCE region and the many challenges faced. The Representative also addressed media freedom issues in the Russian Federation and reiterated her call on the government of the Russian Federation to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists.

“The authorities need to show real political will and commitment to improve the overall media freedom situation in Russia and to let journalists report in a free and safe manner,” Mijatović said.

Mijatović also stressed the importance of fighting propaganda, to counter biased and misleading news reporting and to promote media pluralism and journalism ethics in the Russian Federation.

“Journalism in Russia is endangered and needs to be healed,”  Mijatović said.

The “Dialogue of Cultures” award by the Mediacongress and the State Hermitage Museum will be presented by representatives of Russia’s journalism community at a ceremony in St. Petersburg on 19 November.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.