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Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
OSCE media watchdog asks Azerbaijan President to initiate law reform as editor is jailed for libel
Publishing date: 3 March 2006
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation, Safety of journalists
Location: Azerbaijan
VIENNA, 3 March 2006- The OSCE Media Freedom Representative Miklos Haraszti has written to Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev, reminding him of his call a year ago for a moratorium on the use of criminal defamation against the media. In his letter...
OSCE media freedom representative asks prosecutors in Russia and Belarus to drop 'cartoon cases'
Publishing date: 24 February 2006
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
Locations: Belarus, Russia
VIENNA, 24 February 2006- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media appealed to prosecutors in Russia and Belarus to drop criminal charges against newspapers under investigation for "incitement of hatred" after illustrating articles...
OSCE media freedom representative delivers report on cartoon controversy
Publishing date: 17 February 2006
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
VIENNA, 17 February 2006- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media yesterday delivered a report to the OSCE Permanent Council on the current media freedom issues in the OSCE region, including an analysis of the recent cartoon controversy...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative defends papers' right to publish controversial cartoons, asks for mutual respect for traditions
Publishing date: 3 February 2006
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
VIENNA, 3 February 2006- Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, defended the traditional right of a free press to publish satirical cartoons, even if they depict figures in established religions. Commenting on the recent...
OSCE media freedom representative asks Polish President to pardon imprisoned journalist
Publishing date: 18 January 2006
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation, Safety of journalists
Location: Poland
VIENNA, 18 January 2006- Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, has asked the President of Poland to pardon imprisoned journalist Andrzej Marek, who was sent to jail on 17 January for libelling a local official...
OSCE media freedom representative asks Kazakhstan to withdraw Internet regulation
Publishing date: 31 October 2005
Location: Kazakhstan
VIENNA, 31 October 2005- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklós Haraszti, has asked the Government of Kazakhstan to withdraw a newly established regulation on the registration of domain names for websites...
OSCE media freedom representative asks Hague Tribunal to release Croatian journalist
Publishing date: 11 October 2005
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation, Media laws, Safety of journalists
Locations: Croatia, Netherlands
VIENNA, 11 October 2005- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, has asked the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to release Croatian journalist Josip Jovic, the former editor-in-chief of...
OSCE media freedom representative concerned over new criminal libel case involving President of Belarus
Publishing date: 22 August 2005
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation
Location: Belarus
VIENNA, 22 August 2005- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, has voiced his concern over a new criminal investigation involving alleged libel of the President of Belarus in animated Internet cartoons.
OSCE Media Representative praises Turkey for changing penal code, but remains concerned
Publishing date: 7 July 2005
What we do: Decriminalization of defamation, Media laws, Media pluralism
Location: Türkiye
VIENNA, 7 July 2005- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, today praised the Turkish authorities for introducing important changes to the new Penal Code, following a legal review his Office produced, listing 23 provisions...
OSCE media freedom representative concerned over new regulation on newspaper titles in Belarus
Publishing date: 3 June 2005
Location: Belarus
VIENNA, 3 June 2005- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has voiced his concern over a new presidential decree in Belarus, which bans the use of the words "national" and "Belarusian" by NGOs and media in their official titles and names...