Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concludes visit to Kyiv calling for more consultation on media law reforms to strengthen guarantees of media freedom
Publishing date: 7 February 2020
KYIV, 7 February 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded today his official visit to Kyiv, where he held discussions with the authorities, the media community and international organizations, focusing particularly on two new draft laws, on Media and on Countering Disinformation respectively.
Harassment and violence against journalists in Azerbaijan is deplorable, says OSCE Media Freedom Representative, calling for swift investigation
Publishing date: 12 February 2020
VIENNA, 12 February 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today said that he deplores last night’s detentions, violent incidents and mistreatment of journalists during an election-related protest in Baku...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative pays tribute to Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak on second anniversary of his murder, as public hearings near conclusion
Publishing date: 20 February 2020
VIENNA, 20 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, paid tribute today to investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, on the second anniversary of their murders...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls on UK authorities not to extradite WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange to the US, ahead of Monday’s hearing
Publishing date: 23 February 2020
VIENNA, 23 February 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today at the potential extradition of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange, ahead of his hearing on 24 February.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative Désir dismayed by threats against journalists of web portal Capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 24 February 2020
VIENNA, 24 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his dismay today at recent insults and threats by Duško Perović, Head of the Representative Office of the Republika Srpska in the Russian Federation, against journalists of the web portal Capital...
OSCE Representative Désir calls on Ukrainian authorities to find swift and effective solution for unblocking accounts of public broadcasting company
Publishing date: 28 February 2020
VIENNA, 28 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called today on the Ukrainian authorities to urgently find an effective solution to lift the blocking of the bank accounts of the public broadcasting company of Ukraine, UA:PBC.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative condemns arrest of Sputnik journalists in Turkey, calls for their protection
Publishing date: 1 March 2020
VIENNA, 1 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned today’s detention of the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik Turkey and three other Sputnik journalists working in Turkey.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative publishes legal analysis of draft Ukrainian media law, with recommendations to authorities
Publishing date: 2 March 2020
VIENNA, 2 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, published today a legal analysis of the Draft Law of Ukraine “On Media”. This draft law was recently registered in the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament)...
“Stay strong and dedicated to this great idea!”- In memoriam: Freimut Duve (1936-2020), First OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Publishing date: 5 March 2020
VIENNA, 5 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, and his two predecessors, Dunja Mijatović and Miklós Haraszti, today issued a joint statement in memory of the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, who passed away last Tuesday...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concludes the second Central Asia Judicial Dialogue in Samarkand
Publishing date: 6 March 2020
SAMARKAND, 6 March 2020- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded today the second Central Asia Judicial Dialogue in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. During this two-day event, over 40 judges from the region discussed how to protect freedom of expression while combating violent extremism, terrorism and hate speech. The participants also discussed the decriminalization of defamation.