Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Representative expresses concern about obstruction to journalists’ activities at Moscow demonstration, calls for respect of media’s role during public events
Publishing date: 29 July 2019
VIENNA, 29 July 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today about a series of attacks against journalists and the obstruction to media activities during an election-related demonstration on 27 July in Moscow...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes release of journalist Igor Rudnikov, calls on authorities in Russia to drop all charges
Publishing date: 17 June 2019
VIENNA, 17 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed the release from custody of journalist Igor Rudnikov, the editor and founder of the Kaliningrad-based Noviye Kolyosa newspaper, and called on the authorities in the Russian Federation to drop all charges and fully acquit the journalist...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative deplores detentions of journalists in Moscow, calls on Russian authorities to respect rights of media workers to cover demonstrations
Publishing date: 12 June 2019
VIENNA, 12 June 2019- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called on the Russian authorities to respect the rights of journalists to cover public events and release all detained media workers, following the peaceful demonstration in Moscow today.
New Russian laws could further limit media freedom, says OSCE Representative Harlem Désir
Publishing date: 19 March 2019
VIENNA, 19 March 2019 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today said that new laws introduced in Russia impose excessive restrictions on speech and information on the Internet, and could further limit media freedom in the country...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls for dropping of criminal charges against Radio Ekho Moskvy journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva in Russia
Publishing date: 11 February 2019
VIENNA, 11 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today called for criminal charges of supporting terrorism against journalist Svetlana Prokopyeva to be dropped, and raised concern about decisions by a Russian court to fine two media outlets in relation to this case. Prokopyeva is a journalist with Radio Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) and a contributor to various other media, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Russian Service...
Termination of Russian newspaper’s activities negatively impacts access to information and media pluralism, asserts OSCE Media Freedom Representative
Publishing date: 4 February 2019
VIENNA, 4 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern regarding a court verdict to terminate the activity of the newspaper Novye Kolesa Igorya Rudnikova in Kaliningrad...
Law further restricting speech in Russia might negatively affect freedoms of media and of information on Internet, says OSCE Representative
Publishing date: 14 December 2018
VIENNA, 14 December 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today conveyed his concern about a new draft law in Russia which can impose excessive restrictions on media and citizens using their right to free expression online...
One year after arrest of Russian journalist Igor Rudnikov, OSCE Representative reiterates call for his release
Publishing date: 6 November 2018
VIENNA, 6 November 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed concern regarding the lengthy detention of journalist Igor Rudnikov in Kaliningrad in the Russian Federation and reiterated his call on the country’s authorities to release him...
OSCE Representative notes Russian Supreme Court resolution to improve judicial practice around online extremist content, urges legislative reform
Publishing date: 26 September 2018
VIENNA, 26 September 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today said he had taken note of the resolution by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, which aims at improving judicial practice in cases of alleged online extremist content...
OSCE Representative calls on Russia to drop legislative amendments that could undermine freedom of expression and access to information
Publishing date: 21 September 2018
VIENNA, 21 September 2018 – In a letter to the authorities of the Russian Federation the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern regarding the proposed amendments to the country’s Code of Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code, which were adopted yesterday in the final reading by the lower house of parliament, the State Duma. The amendments, among other things, strengthen the penalties for the dissemination of ‘false’ information related to defamation and information that affects privacy protection...