Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE Media Freedom Representative commends arrests in investigation of attack on Olivera Lakić in Montenegro, calls for justice to be served
Publishing date: 19 February 2019
VIENNA, 19 February 2019- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir today commended the arrest of nine persons in Montenegro who the police say are part of a criminal gang that is responsible for a series of crimes including the attack on journalist Olivera Lakić on 8 May last year...
Cumhuriyet trial convictions a terrible setback for Turkey, says OSCE Media Freedom Representative, calls for end to criminalization of journalism
Publishing date: 19 February 2019
VIENNA, 19 February 2019 – Yesterday’s decision to uphold convictions and severe sentences handed down to dozens of Cumhuriyet journalists is a terrible setback and detrimental to Turkey’s commitments to free speech and independent media, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir said today...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative Désir and Head of Mission Berton condemn threats against journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 15 February 2019
VIENNA/SARAJEVO, 15 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bruce G. Berton, today condemned several threats made against journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative deeply concerned about new laws in Russia which would further strengthen state control of Internet
Publishing date: 14 February 2019
VIENNA, 14 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his serious concern regarding the amendments to the Russian federal laws on Communication and on Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information, which were adopted by the State Duma, in the first reading on 12 February...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights urge systematic approach to counter gender-based violence online
Publishing date: 12 February 2019
VIENNA, 12 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, together with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, today opened the Safety of Female Journalists Online (#SOFJO) conference, Increasing Opportunities for Freedom of Expression and Media Plurality.
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...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes landmark judgment in UK on protecting confidentiality of journalistic sources
Publishing date: 8 February 2019
VIENNA, 8 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today welcomed a court decision in Northern Ireland recognizing journalists’ rights to protect the confidentiality of their sources...
Dismissal of chairperson of board of public broadcaster in Ukraine is worrying, says OSCE Media Freedom Representative
Publishing date: 8 February 2019
VIENNA, 8 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern regarding the recent decision of the Supervisory Board of the public service company UA:PBC in Ukraine to dismiss Zurab Alasania from the chairmanship post at the organization...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls for repeal of Slovak Press Act amendments on right of reply
Publishing date: 6 February 2019
VIENNA, 6 February – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today raised his concerns over the amendments to the Press Act establishing a right of reply for physical and legal persons, which passed the first reading in the parliament of Slovakia last week.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative condemns death threats against N1 journalists in Serbia, calls on authorities to urgently investigate
Publishing date: 5 February 2019
VIENNA, 5 February 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today condemned several threats against N1 TV and its journalists in Serbia...