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Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes dropping of multi-million defamation claims against media outlet in Kyrgyzstan
Publishing date: 21 May 2018
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
Location: Kyrgyzstan
VIENNA, 21 May 2018 – Today the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed the dropping of defamation claims against the now-defunct Kyrgyz media outlet Zanoza.kg, and its journalists Dina Maslova and Naryn Ayyp, by the former president Almazbek Atambaev...
OSCE media freedom representative calls on Slovakia to decriminalize defamation and respect journalists’ rights
Publishing date: 23 March 2018
Location: Slovakia
VIENNA, 23 March – Today OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir wrote to the Slovak authorities to express concern about a recently passed verdict on the case of journalist Lukáš Milan...
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...
OSCE media freedom representative concerned about complaint filed against journalist by Poland’s Defence Ministry
Publishing date: 3 August 2017
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
Location: Poland
VIENNA, 3 August 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed his concern in a letter to the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding the decision by the Ministry of Defence to file a complaint against journalist Tomasz Piątek. The Defence Ministry claims that Piątek may have committed a criminal offence in publishing his new book, Macierewicz and His Secrets...
New study shows criminal defamation laws unduly limit media freedom, OSCE media freedom representative says
Publishing date: 7 March 2017
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation, Media laws
VIENNA, 7 March 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today released a comparative study “Defamation and Insult Laws in the OSCE Region” which says criminal law remains an instrument to excessively limit media freedom...
OSCE Representative reiterates call on authorities in Azerbaijan to decriminalize defamation
Publishing date: 17 November 2016
Location: Azerbaijan
BRUSSELS, 17 November 2016 – Following steps in Azerbaijan to expand criminal insult provisions, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today reiterated her call on the authorities to reform the country’s defamation legislation...
OSCE Representative urges Czech Parliament to abolish amendment criminalizing defamation of president
Publishing date: 16 November 2016
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
Location: Czech Republic
PARIS, 16 November 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today urged members of the parliament in the Czech Republic to abolish an amendment making defamation of the country’s president a criminal offence...
Criminal defamation laws protecting foreign heads of states undermine media’s role as public watchdog, OSCE Representative says, issuing recommendations
Publishing date: 14 June 2016
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation, Media laws
VIENNA, 14 June 2016 – Criminal defamation provisions protecting heads of foreign states infringe on media’s right to report on issues of public interest, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today as she presented a set of recommendations on the issue...
Defamation penalty in Italy needs to be considered for its effect on free expression, OSCE media representative says
Publishing date: 26 May 2016
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
Location: Italy
VIENNA, 26 May 2016 – The Italian Senate should consider pending legislation that would increase the maximum penalty to 9 years in jail for criminally defaming elected officials and judges in light of its effect on free expression, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today...
Decision to prosecute satirist in Germany worrying, OSCE media freedom representative says, reiterating call to decriminalize defamation
Publishing date: 15 April 2016
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
Location: Germany
VIENNA, 15 April 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about the decision in Germany to prosecute a satirist who derided the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan...