Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes landmark judgment in UK on protecting confidentiality of journalistic sources
Publishing date: 8 February 2019
VIENNA, 8 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed a court decision in Northern Ireland recognizing journalists’ rights to protect the confidentiality of their sources...
OSCE Representative raises concerns regarding Ukrainian draft law to counter threats to national security in the information sphere
Publishing date: 6 July 2018
VIENNA, 6 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today raised concerns regarding the draft law “On changes to some legislative acts of Ukraine on countering threats to national security in the information sphere”, as it may endanger free access to information online...
Blocking of Telegram and legal restrictions on social networks will limit freedom of expression in Russia, says OSCE Representative Désir
Publishing date: 13 April 2018
VIENNA, 13 April 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed his concern about a court’s decision to block the Telegram messaging and social networking application in the Russian Federation...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media Harlem Désir welcomes launch of Reporters Without Borders self-regulation initiative to counter disinformation online
Publishing date: 3 April 2018
PARIS, 3 April 2018- Today the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed the launch by Reporters Without Borders and its Secretary General Christophe Deloire, the Agence France-Presse (AFP), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Global Editors Network (GEN) of a new self-regulation initiative to counter disinformation online and enhance transparency and trust in the media...
OSCE representative Désir warns about shrinking space for online expression in Turkey, following parliament’s adoption of latest restrictive provision
Publishing date: 22 March 2018
VIENNA, 22 March 2018 – “Today, the Internet is the main platform where pluralistic discussions can still take place in Turkey. Further restricting access to the Internet will critically weaken access to information and online expression,” OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir said today...
OSCE Representative discusses strengthening cooperation with UN and Global Civil Society Organizations to protect media freedom during New York visit
Publishing date: 17 March 2018
New York, 17 March 2018 – During his visit to New York OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir met with high-level United Nations officials and a broad range of civil society organizations to discuss ways of joining forces in promoting media freedom and protection of journalists.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media concludes official visit to Canada, attends conference on Internet jurisdiction
Publishing date: 1 March 2018
OTTAWA, 1 March 2018- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir yesterday concluded a visit to Canada in which he held meetings on the state of freedom of expression and media freedom in the country with a broad range of state officials. He also participated in an international conference on Internet jurisdiction in Ottawa...
Detention of hundreds in Turkey for expressing dissenting views on military operation in Afrin is unacceptable, OSCE representative warns
Publishing date: 7 February 2018
VIENNA, 7 February 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir turned to the authorities of Turkey yesterday to strongly contest the detention of hundreds of social media users for expressing their critical views on the Afrin operations in Syria...
OSCE Representative Désir met Swiss President Alain Berset to discuss closer co-operation
Publishing date: 8 January 2018
VIENNA, 8 January 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir met with the President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset today in Vienna...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir says that United States’ decision on net neutrality threatens online media freedom and pluralism
Publishing date: 15 December 2017
VIENNA, 15 December 2017 – The United States’ Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision of 14 December 2017 to repeal existing provisions ensuring “net neutrality” – the principle that Internet providers must treat all online traffic equally and without undue interference – threatens online media freedom according to a statement made by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today. The FCC’s commissioners voted by three to two to dismantle existing rules which protect the “Open Internet” and prohibit blocking, throttling or paid prioritization of Internet content.