Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
In a letter to Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan OSCE Representative calls for release of blogger Mehman Huseynov and dropping of criminal charges against him
Publishing date: 9 January 2019
VIENNA, 9 January 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, expressed his serious concern about the situation and health condition of the imprisoned blogger and chair of the media NGO Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, Mehman Huseynov, and called on the authorities to drop new criminal charges brought against him. Huseynov has reportedly been on a hunger strike since late December 2018...
OSCE media freedom representative dismayed by continued persecution of journalist Khadija Ismayilova in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 22 December 2018
VIENNA, 22 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed serious concern following a court decision in Azerbaijan ordering a well-known investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova to pay a high fine for an alleged tax debt...
OSCE media freedom representative promotes dialogue between judges from Central Asia on protecting freedom of expression while combating violent extremism
Publishing date: 21 December 2018
VIENNA, 21 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, organized on 19 December in Bishkek the first Central Asia Judicial Dialogue, to discuss how to protect freedom of expression while combating violent extremism...
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...
OSCE Representative discusses regulation of broadcast media and respect for media legislation with member of Serbia’s regulatory authority
Publishing date: 13 December 2018
VIENNA, 13 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today met with Olivera Zekić, a member of Serbia’s Council of the Regulatory Authority of Electronic Media (REM), to discuss issues related to REM’s operation, including external influence and the need for independence. The meeting in Vienna took place following a request from the REM Council’s Deputy President...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative strongly condemns attack on journalist’s house in Serbia, urges swift and thorough investigation
Publishing date: 12 December 2018
VIENNA, 12 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today condemned an attack on a journalist’s house in Vrčin, Serbia...
A Dark Place: Documentary on safety of female journalists online to premiere in Vienna on International Human Rights Day
Publishing date: 10 December 2018
VIENNA, 10 December 2018 – The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFOM), together with the International Press Institute, are organizing the world premiere today in Vienna of their film, A Dark Place – a documentary highlighting the experiences of female journalists who have been targeted by online harassment...
OSCE Ministerial Decision on Safety of Journalists is a major step forward, says OSCE media freedom representative
Publishing date: 7 December 2018
MILAN, 7 December 2018- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomes today’s adoption of a decision on the safety of journalists by all 57 participating States at the 2018 OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan.
Canada Supreme Court ruling raises concern over protection of journalists’ confidential communication with sources, says OSCE Media Freedom Representative
Publishing date: 3 December 2018
VIENNA, 3 December 2018- Today, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir expressed concern over the decision by the Canadian Supreme Court to uphold a lower court ruling obliging VICE reporter Ben Makuch to hand over his private communications with a source.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concludes visit to Moldova, encourages authorities to foster free and pluralistic media
Publishing date: 30 November 2018