Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Jan Braathu, concluded his first visit to European Institutions today. During his visit, the RFoM discussed current challenges to media freedom across EU Member States and the broader OSCE region with the cabinets of European Commissioner for

BRUSSELS, 7 May 2025-  Considering the vital impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has on freedom of expression, freedom of the media and the information ecosystem; acknowledging that the development and use of AI can be beneficial but raise serious human rights-related concerns; stressing the

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 2 May 2025 — On World Press Freedom Day, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Jan Braathu reaffirm the necessity of upholding media freedom in an environment marked by rapid technological developments.

VIENNA, 10 April 2025 — Protecting media freedom is crucial to our democracies and comprehensive security: this was a core message from the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Jan Braathu, during his first report to the OSCE Permanent Council today.

VIENNA, 17 March 2025 – Independent media are essential in providing factual, unbiased reporting that counters propaganda, promotes informed public debate and ensures accountability, OSCE leaders said at the opening of a two-day conference to discuss the role of media in conflict and humanitarian crises against the background of international law today.

WARSAW, 28 February 2025 – The Law on the Special Registry and Publicity of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations adopted last night by the parliament of Republika Srpska does not meet international human rights standards or the commitments of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an OSCE participating State, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Maria Telalian and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Jan Braathu said today.

OSLO, 31 January 2025- During a two-day visit to Oslo on 30 and 31 January, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ambassador Jan Braathu, met with high-level representatives of the Norwegian government, state institutions, and journalism and media support organizations.

VALLETTA, 6 December 2024 — The 31st OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta concluded with key decisions on the appointment of four senior officials to lead the OSCE’s Secretariat and institutions. This achievement underscores a lasting commitment of the 57 participating States to strengthen the Organization’s ability to act, particularly in times of crisis and conflict.

VIENNA, 22 November 2024 – The Maltese Chairpersonship of the OSCE, in collaboration with the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) and the 3CL Foundation, organised the Conference on Media Freedom in the OSCE region on 22 November 2024. The event addressed the multiple challenges facing free and independent media in the current digital landscape and their implications for democracy and security.

VALLETTA/VIENNA 03 September 2024 – Today, the OSCE Chair-in-Office, Malta's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg, informed the 57 participating States that, in the absence of a consensus on the appointment of a new OSCE leadership, he has taken immediate action to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the Organization during this transitional period.