Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Representative denounces restrictive measures on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty as “foreign agents” in Russia
Publishing date: 6 July 2018
VIENNA, 6 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today denounced the fine imposed on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) for not complying with a Russian law regulating the activities of media outlets branded by the authorities as “foreign agents.”
Policy of discrimination of media as “foreign agents” should stop, says OSCE Representative following legal amendments in Russia
Publishing date: 4 July 2018
VIENNA, 4 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today raised his concern about the draft law amending the “Statute on the Mass Media” in the Russian Federation. If adopted in its current state, the law would extend the status of “foreign agent” not only to media but to individual journalists and other authors.
OSCE Representative reiterates call to release Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, following his conviction in Russia
Publishing date: 4 June 2018
VIENNA, 4 June 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today deplored the sentencing of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko to 12 years in prison in the Russian Federation, and reiterated his call to release the journalist.
OSCE Representative calls for release of Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov in a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Publishing date: 4 June 2018
VIENNA, 4 June 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern about the continued detention of Oleg Sentsov, a writer and film director from Crimea, Ukraine, after sending a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation last week, urging to review the case.
New amendment to Criminal Code poses threat to freedom of media in Russia, says OSCE Representative Désir
Publishing date: 15 May 2018
VIENNA, 15 May 2018- Following the introduction of an amendment to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which penalizes “facilitation” of foreign sanctions toward public or private persons of the Russian Federation, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, today pointed to the threats it poses for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country...
OSCE media freedom representative shocked by death of journalist in Russia, calls for full, transparent and independent investigation
Publishing date: 16 April 2018
VIENNA, 16 April 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said today he was shocked by the death of journalist Maksim Borodin in the Russian Federation...
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...
Broadening of "foreign agents" status for media in Russia detrimental to freedom of expression online, says OSCE Representative
Publishing date: 26 January 2018
VIENNA, 26 January 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today, in a letter to Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, called on the Russian Parliament not to adopt the draft law that through amendments to the “Statute on the Mass Media” extends the status of a "foreign agent" to individuals...
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir welcomes Russian Supreme Court decision as positive step, calls for release of Ali Feruz
Publishing date: 25 January 2018
VIENNA, 25 January 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation regarding the case of Uzbek journalist Khudoberdi Nurmatov, also known under his penname Ali Feruz, a contributing journalist to Novaya Gazeta.
OSCE Representative condemns attack on journalist in Russia, calls for speedy and effective investigation
Publishing date: 22 December 2017